Closing day demonstration at Marineland
Animal rights supporter Catharine Ens has been a vocal opponent of Marineland for almost three decades.
The advocacy director with Niagara Action for Animals has been participating in protests outside the tourist attraction since the late 1980s.
On Sunday, she returned to Marineland for the final demonstration of the year, which coincided with the theme park’s last day of operation for the season.
“I feel that we’re still getting a lot of support from the passing public, and that’s the important thing,” she said as she joined dozens of people standing along Portage Road.
Ens said it will be interesting to see what the 2019 season will bring for Marineland, referring to a federal bill currently awaiting final reading before the Senate.
Bill S-203 — dubbed the Free Willy bill, after the movie — would ban the keeping of whales and dolphins in captivity in Canada.
If passed, Ens said the bill
would have a dramatic impact on Marineland.
“They’ll have to stop breeding dolphins and belugas and they won’t be able to bring any in so they will have to decide then whether they want to move to more of a theme park — with more rides and attractions — rather than the animals.”
Tabled in December 2015 by former Liberal Sen. Wilfred Moore, Bill S-203, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, has been in the red chamber for nearly three years now.
The Conservatives have repeatedly used procedural obstruction to keep it from moving to a vote.
“We want to see Bill S-203 voted on and moved into the house, it’s been a long enough game,” said Melissa Hayward, and resident of Bradford and organizer of the closing day demonstration.
Since Marineland founder John Holer’s death in June, no one from the park has spoken publicly about its future.
Park officials could not be reached for comment over the weekend.
Ens said the public opinion on animals in captivity has changed dramatically over the years.
“I don’t think a day goes by that we don’t see a story of some sort about animals in the media and that didn’t use to take place. There’s a growing awareness about animals and their needs.” Melissa Gebauer agreed. “People don’t realize what the animals are going through,” said the Buffalo, N.Y., resident.
“They don’t think animals are on the same level as us when they really are. They experience emotions … fear, happiness, they miss their families.”
Hayward said approximately 50 supporters attended the closing day demonstration.