‘No issues of concern’ after Marineland inspection
Facing 11 counts of animal cruelty from the OSPCA (Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Marineland is touting the results of a recent inspection by its own Animal Care Committee.
Conducted by former Seaworld vice-president Lanny Cornell, the report found the animals at the Niagara Falls attraction to be “healthy, behaving normally, well fed and well taken care of,” according to Marineland’s marketing department.
The park says Cornell considered “all the issues identified by the OSPCA and issues raised by radical animal rights activists” during the inspection. His entire report can be found on Marineland’s website.
Following that inspection, the park says the OSPCA conducted a two-day inspection “of every animal, the facilities and all records at Marineland” on Feb. 21 and 22. It found “no issues of concern,” and laid no charges.
The Marineland Animal Care Committee stems from provincial legislation introduced in 2015 requiring every marine mammal facility in Ontario (Marineland is the only one) to establish its own animal welfare committee.
Both inspections come on the heels of a November inspection of the park by the OSPCA which resulted in 11 charges of animal cruelty related to the care of black bears, elk, deer, peacocks and guinea hens.
The matter has twice been deferred at Provincial Offences Court in Niagara Falls, Jan. 26 and Feb. 23.
Marineland will answer to the charges again on March 23.
The park continues to be “troubled” by the charges, according to a statement emailed to The Review.
“Charges that are even more puzzling following the most recent, comprehensive inspection of the park.”
But animal activist Mike Garrett, being sued by the park for $1.5 million, calls the inspections “damage control” following the animal cruelty charges and a Senate bill (Bill S-203) seeking to end the captivity of whales and dolphins across the country.
“I believe they are completely on their heels,” says Garrett.
“They’re just trying to get out ahead of the Senate bill and get their name in the news.”