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An animal law non-profit organization called on the Ontario government to investigate Marineland’s handling of the killer whale Kiska.
CBC News reviewed the complaint filed by Animal Justice with the Deputy Attorney General. It claims that Marineland is illegal for placing orcas under conditions that do not meet their physical and mental needs.
CBC News is seeking comment from Marineland, and the company did not respond on Wednesday.
Animal Justice’s complaint was released after a video posted by Phil Demers, a whistleblower who was also a former trainer at the Niagara Falls Aquarium.
The video appears to show Kiska floating listlessly and moving slowly.
“She may be the loneliest orca in the world, which is very sad,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice. “It’s hard not to feel sympathy for what she went through.”
Watch | Video of the worrying orca Kiska:
A video posted by Phil Demers, the former coach of the Niagara Falls Aquarium, appears to show that Kiska orca floats listlessly and moves slowly. 0:36
The complaint was filed after the animal welfare service inspector issued it Two orders In May, I went to the park to repair the water system in the pools, which contained beluga whales, dolphins, walruses, sea lions and a killer whale. According to the report, these animals are in trouble due to poor water quality.
Animal Justice stated that Kiska was arrested in Iceland in 1979 when she was 3 years old, and then Marineland bought her. According to the organization, Kiska gave birth to five calves, but they are all young. It said that over time, her other companions died or moved to other facilities.
Animal Justice said that since 2011, Kiska has had no other orca companions.
Although it is illegal to keep whales and dolphins in captivity, Marineland enjoys immunity due to the grandfather clause of the rule.
Scientists call the situation “cruel”
The complaint includes comments from Dr. Naomi Rose, a scientist at the Institute of Animal Welfare.
“At least, she should have been transferred to a facility with other killer whales, or provided individuals of other cetacean species as companions,” Rose said at an animal justice media conference.
“Under no circumstances is her complete loneliness allowed to continue—especially considering that she barely responds to it—is an appropriate choice.”
Animal justice emphasizes the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, which stipulates that animal owners cannot cause or allow suffering. The criminal law also does not allow anyone to intentionally cause or allow pain or neglect.
“We believe that it is important for law enforcement agencies to take this issue seriously, and it is necessary and appropriate to help Kiska as much as possible,” said Labchuk, who is also a lawyer.
“The best option… is to switch to an animal-free attraction.”
Labchuk stated that a potential solution might be to move Kiska to the future of the Whale Sanctuary Project Seaside sanctuary In Hillford Harbor, NS, whales and dolphins.
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