Connecting Past and Present
March 31, 2025 By: Alex Hankins
An article from The Guardian, “Canada’s Marineland to rehome its whales and dolphins as it seeks a buyer,” relates to Unit 3 Conservation. Historically, marine parks were seen as valuable for public education and species conservation, with organizations justifying captivity as an appreciation for marine life. However, shifting conservation perspectives, influenced by research on marine mammal intelligence and stress in captivity, have led to stricter regulations. Recent developments at Marineland in Canada highlight conservation and ethical considerations surrounding the captivity of marine mammals. The park is seeking funds to relocate its marine animals, including the world’s largest captive beluga population, as it searches for a buyer. This move follows scrutiny over multiple deaths of whales and dolphins since 2019 and aligns with federal and provincial laws prohibiting the sale, breeding, and new captivity of whales. The challenge of finding suitable sanctuaries within Canada shows the complexities of ensuring animal welfare post-captivity. This situation brings reflection on the ethical implications of wildlife captivity and the importance of creating environments that prioritize the well-being of wildlife.
An article from Global News connects to the topic of Urbanization in Unit 3. The increasing urbanization of Canadian cities has led to a significant loss of green spaces, raising concerns about environmental sustainability and quality of life. A survey indicated that major cities like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton have experienced reductions in green areas due to urban development. This trend highlights the tension between urban expansion and the preservation of natural environments within city landscapes. The findings challenge our modern society to consider how urban planning can integrate green spaces to maintain ecological balance and provide residents with essential recreational areas. It challenges past views discussed in Unit 3, on what should be prioritized when expanding urbanization. It emphasizes the need for policies that promote sustainable urban growth while conserving natural habitats.
References:
Cecco, Leyland. “Canada’s Marineland to Rehome Its Whales and Dolphins as It Seeks a Buyer.” The Guardian, March 20, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/20/canadas-marineland-to-rehome-its-whales-and-dolphins-as-it-seeks-a-buyer.
Webber, Bob. “Urban Green Space in Canada Declining as Cities Expand: StatCan Survey.” Global News, February 17, 2022. https://globalnews.ca/news/8586905/urban-green-space-canada-statcan-survey/.
Great post! The Marineland situation highlights how shifting views on animal welfare are challenging past justifications for captivity. Relocating these animals raises questions about long-term responsibility—should Canada invest in more marine sanctuaries?
Urbanization also presents a tough balance. Green spaces are essential for biodiversity, air quality, and mental health, yet they’re shrinking as cities expand. Could solutions like green roofs or vertical gardens help offset this loss?
Thanks for sharing—both topics show the need for more sustainable conservation efforts!
The Marineland situation raises questions about how we balance conservation with public education. The move from capacity in marine parks is long over due, especially as we learn about the harmful impacts mammals experince in capcity. However, as you highlight, the challenge of finding suitable sancturaries for this manamals after capcity is a complext issue and it makes us reconsider the larger consequences of keeping wildlife in these types of enviroments.