Two sea lions previously housed at Marineland have been relocated to the Vancouver Aquarium. Holly and Maui, both 18 years old, are currently adjusting to their new environment in a separate pool before they are introduced to Señor Cinco, the male sea lion already residing at the aquarium. This transfer is part of a coordinated effort by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums to find permanent homes for animals from Marineland, which is in the process of moving its animal population, including 30 belugas, four dolphins, seals, bears, and deer.
Mackenzie Neale, the director of animal care at Vancouver Aquarium, emphasized the importance of ensuring the long-term health and well-being of mature animals like Holly and Maui. The aquarium’s team is dedicated to supporting the natural behaviors of these social creatures through daily enrichment activities and personalized wellness plans. While the aquarium successfully releases over 80% of the marine animals it rescues back into the wild, those that cannot be returned remain under its care for the remainder of their lives.
Despite inquiries from CBC Hamilton, Marineland has not provided details on recent animal relocations or the current number of sea lions at their facility. Drone footage captured by CBC News showcased beluga whales being fed and deer roaming the Marineland property. The park has faced challenges, with reports indicating that twenty whales have died since 2019, prompting efforts to export the remaining animals to other facilities.
Marineland has been seeking approval to export its whales, citing the high costs of caring for 30 belugas, estimated at $2 million per month. The park aims to transition to animal-free attractions, a move supported by Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati. Recently, conditional approval was granted by Ottawa for Marineland to relocate its belugas and dolphins to U.S. aquariums, including Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, and a SeaWorld location.
