Bottlenose dolphin, beluga whale die at Marineland

A bottlenose dolphin and beluga whale have died at Marineland just two months after the death of another killer whale at the Niagara Falls attraction.

The theme park confirmed in a statement to CHCH News Monday that 26-year-old dolphin Sonar and 28-year-old beluga Kodiak passed away.

Sonar was a part of the “educational presentations” at King Waldorf Stadium.

“Her energetic and playful personality will be greatly missed by those that had the opportunity to know her,” Marineland said.

READ MORE: Marineland’s final captive orca ‘Kiska’ has died at age 47

Kodiak was a “wonderful ambassador animal” and spent many years at Arctic Cove before moving to Friendship Cove in 2018.

“He will be remembered fondly by his care team and the thousands of guests he impacted over his many years at Marineland.”

The cause of their death will be determined following an animal autopsy. Marineland says it could take up to eight weeks for complete results.

This follows the death of the last captive orca in Canada in March at the theme park. Kiska lived at the tourist attraction since 1979 and passed away “peacefully” at age 47.

READ MORE: Animal rights activists hold a memorial service outside Marineland for Kiska the whale

World Animal Protection, a Canadian non-profit organization, said in a statement that it was “deeply disturbed” by the news of further animal deaths at Marineland.

“The province should conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of death and the conditions the remaining animals are kept in,” said Michèle Hamers, World Animal Protection’s wildlife campaign manager.

“We are calling on Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner to urgently implement stronger regulations and enforcement to protect the health and welfare of the remaining animals at Marineland and in other underregulated zoos and facilities across Ontario.”