The Ontario government has filed charges against the Marineland wildlife park for its treatment of black bears.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General says it recently laid charges for failing to comply with an order regarding black bears at this theme park in Niagara Falls, a popular tourist attraction in Ontario.
The charges were brought under a section of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, which allows an inspector to issue an order to assist animals that may be in distress.
Marineland, which is home to an unknown number of black bears, would therefore not have complied with such an order.
The ministry declined to provide more details, since the case is now in court.
Marineland said it received a formal notice regarding the care of three cubs born unexpectedly at the park during the pandemic due to a family planning failure.
The park said the province’s Animal Welfare Services team “required that Marineland build a 10,000 square foot bear cub facility to exact specifications separate from our bear habitat.”
“We have instead chosen to release the bears at a sanctuary,” Marineland said in an email. The cubs received regular veterinary care and were in good health. »
The park said it commends the work of animal welfare services, while saying it does not believe “the park’s actions warrant the filing of charges under Ontario’s animal welfare laws.” .
Marineland has said it wants to defend itself in court.
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