Two sea lions that were 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. They will eventually be introduced to Señor Cinco, the male sea lion already residing at the aquarium.
The move of Holly and Maui is part of a coordinated effort by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums to secure long-term placements for animals from Marineland. The amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, which has closed down, is in the process of transferring its animals, including belugas, dolphins, seals, bears, and deer. The exact number of sea lions remaining at Marineland following the relocation of Holly and Maui is unknown.
Mackenzie Neale, the director of animal care at Vancouver Aquarium, emphasized that Holly and Maui, being mature animals, require support for their long-term health and well-being. The team at the aquarium is dedicated to promoting the natural behaviors of these social creatures through daily enrichment activities and personalized wellness plans.
While the Vancouver Aquarium successfully releases over 80% of rescued marine animals back into the wild each year, those that cannot be returned remain under the care of the aquarium for the duration of their lives. Marineland has not provided responses to inquiries regarding recent animal relocations or the current animal population at the facility.
Recent drone footage captured by CBC News showcases beluga whales being fed and deer grazing at Marineland. The park has faced scrutiny due to the deaths of twenty whales since 2019, prompting efforts to export the remaining whales to other facilities. Marineland, which closed to the public in 2024, has been seeking federal approval for the relocation of its whales to avoid potential euthanasia.
The cost of caring for the 30 beluga whales at Marineland is estimated to be $2 million monthly, as stated by Premier Doug Ford. The park aims to transition to animal-free attractions, according to Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati. Conditional approval has been granted by Ottawa for the export of belugas and dolphins to select U.S. aquariums, including Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, and a SeaWorld location.
