Marineland facing criminal charge over dolphin performances

Marineland is facing one criminal charge over ongoing dolphin shows at the park.

The park has been charged with using a captive cetacean for performance for entertainment purposes without authorization. In 2019, the passing of the federal Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, also known as Bill S-203, made it illegal under the criminal code to use the mammals for entertainment.

An investigation into the park was launched by the Niagara Regional Police Service in October, following a complaint levied by Animal Justice Canada (AJC) regarding the dolphin shows. The investigation found that the dolphins were used for shows during August. The charge has not yet been tested in court.

Marineland did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Star.

Camille Labchuk, executive director of AJC, applauded the charges.

We are pleased that the Niagara Police have charged Marineland with unlawfully forcing dolphins to perform for entertainment, in violation of federal criminal law," Labchuk wrote in a press release.

Canada passed groundbreaking new laws in 2019 specifically aimed at ensuring that whales and dolphins are not used in demeaning entertainment performances. Animal Justice's legal complaint was aimed at ensuring that those laws are respected, to protect these sensitive and intelligent animals."

Marineland is set to appear in court on Feb. 14.

More to come

Jenna Moon is a breaking news reporter for the Star and is based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @_jennamoon