Marineland defends condition of walrus
Photos and videos released last week of a Marineland walrus named Zeus have sparked another round of debate about conditions at the Niagara Falls park.
In a video posted on former Marineland trainer Phil Demers’ YouTube page Aug. 15, what appears to be an emaciated walrus is seen on the performance stage looking listless, with his spine sharply protruding on his back.
Demers, who worked at the park from 2000 to 2012, estimates Zeus to be 13 years old, and should weigh at least 3,000 pounds. He doubts the walrus weighs 1,000 pounds in his current condition.
“He by far should be Marineland’s largest walrus,” he says, adding the park was “warned” about how large Zeus would grow when he was obtained from Russia about 11 years ago. “This should be a massive animal.”
He says watching the video, filmed last Monday, left him “gutted.”
A week later, the video has more than 72,000 views on Demers’ YouTube page. It has also been shared by animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals) and website The Dodo.
Three days after the video began circulating, Marineland released new photos of Zeus on its Facebook page where he appeared much healthier. A video was also released of him swimming in a pool eating fish.
In a response sent by e-mail to Postmedia, Marineland claims “the allegations against Zeus are completely false,” and that he is “healthy, eating well, socially active and in good health.”
“These allegations routinely arise when activists’ groups need publicity and are trying to raise money. They follow a fundraising cycle rather than being related to any genuine concerns about the health of any animal.”
The park says Zeus “has always been a long and lean animal,” and like all of the facility’s walruses, he drops his winter weight in the summer.
“As he has done in past years, he will put on weight as we head into the colder months. On land, walruses appear to be sluggish and slow when moving, but this is due to their size, not their fitness.”
The park adds Zeus was checked by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals “a few days ago,” and has been checked by “multiple independent veterinarians during inspections.” “All report that he is healthy.” But Demers says an argument with Marineland owner John Holer about Zeus’s deteriorating condition was a huge factor in him eventually quitting his job, and drawing huge media attention to alleged conditions at the park in 2012.
“That was the beginning of the end.”
He says Zeus had a chronic regurgitation problem, and was prone to collapsing on stage and not moving. He adds the animal was confined to a cramped cage most days.
He believes his condition has grown worse.
“Looking at him now, my jaw hit the floor.”
Because of the reaction to the video, he’s now worried Zeus will make even fewer public appearances.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” he says. “It pains me to be probably 98 per cent of the reason that they’re not going to bring Zeus out any more. His quality of life largely depends on getting out of that barn.”
Marineland counters that Demers “has a high-school education” and has “an endless craving for publicity and funds donated on the back of false complaints.”
Demers is being sued by the park for $1.5 million. Since 2012, the park has launched nine lawsuits against former employees, activists, news outlets and, earlier this year, a California filmmaker.
Demers says he has spent about $100,000 in court proceedings so far.
He’s concerned Zeus will have the same fate as Pandora, another Marineland walrus who appeared thin and eventually died in 2008.
“I don’t know how much longer (Zeus) has got, but I’ve personally witnessed an animal go from what I deemed fairly healthy to dead within 24 hours. It’s anyone’s guess.”
Marineland responds that Demers has “no education regarding walrus health,” and that “Zeus’s weight is just fine.”
“Activists will continue to post misleading information and photos of all of our animals. We will continue to provide accurate information and care of all of our animals.”