Marineland owner Marie Holer told media the park was seeking a buyer to “transition” the park from its current uses into a new potential year-round attraction — indicating that any upcoming closure might just be a stepping stone for the park.
Can they just hand ownership over to the deer? Feeding the deer was always the best part of the place in its heyday. And the deer would certainly do a better job running the place.
I’d just like to add the caveat that healthy dolphins should not be captive. That being said, we often rescue injured or sick dolphins, and while some can be released to the wild again, not all can. If treated responsibly, I see no reason why those animals who couldn’t be released also couldn’t live out their lives in an aquarium for the public to view and learn about.
You can’t sell animals like these. My guess is that the ones that can be released will be, and the ones who wouldn’t make it in the wild will be donated to other aquariums, so they can get the ongoing care they need.
Many zoos and aquariums have animals that can’t be rehabilitated and released. For instance, the Vancouver Aquarium has mostly blind seals because they couldn’t make it on their own. Having them at the aquarium also allows those seals to raise young foundlings so they can be released later. It also generates awareness of the amazing work that the Marine Mammal Rescue does to help so many aquatic mammals that have been hurt by humans.
You can’t release the marine mammals, the best we can hope for is a sanctuary that someone can fly them to. Let’s hope Steve-o and other celebrities who hated marineland come through with helping to get it done.
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