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79-498: The park was known for its innovative roller coasters , most notably Backety-Back Scenic Railway , the Cyclone , and The Comet . The Comet was awarded Coaster Landmark status in 2009, and remains in operation at The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor . Crystal Beach Park was originally a Chautauqua with a beach and side show attractions that was founded by John E. Rebstock on the shores of Lake Erie in 1888. Rebstock turned it into

158-404: A CA$ 50 million expansion on 1,000 adjacent acres, to include a 400-acre "safari park" and amusement centre. Construction began on a new 15,000-seat stadium and pool for killer whales. Marineland purchased two locomotives for a steam train railroad. When plans for Canada's Wonderland were announced, Holer decided to further increase the park's expansion plans, adding a Gothic castle, canals and

237-495: A Senate of Canada committee in May 2017, the 100-acre (40 ha) expansion was described as being one of the largest expansions Marineland has ever made. Holer himself described the overall park as only "half-developed." On opening day in May 2019, two deer died in a stampede in the deer enclosure, which was reopened for the 2019 season. According to Marineland, a father and son caused the stampede, laughed at staff, and refused to leave

316-432: A "crossroads" with three options: to continue the current business model, to sell its 1,000 acres of land to real estate developers, or to become an amusement park without animals. Diodati favours the latter option. Marineland's lawyer Andrew Burns said that there would be no immediate changes to the business. At the time of his death, Holer was working on a new aviary attraction for Marineland. According to testimony before

395-498: A Toronto development firm and a land purchase made by his then-fiancé Bonnie Dickson. His fiancé bought some land in Niagara Falls from a seller who did not want it to be sold to Marineland. Seven months later, she sold the plot to Marineland. Holer stated she acted as trustee and was accompanied by Thomson. In the 1980s, Greenpeace was the first activist group to raise concerns about keeping killer whales in captivity. It objected to

474-597: A capacity of 500 to 1,200. The park's first roller coaster was a Figure 8 model that operated from 1905 to 1915. Prior to the 1908 season John Rebstock, while maintaining ownership of the land, sold the physical assets of the Crystal Beach Park to the Lake Erie Excursion Company. The Americana held 3,000 passengers and operated between 1908 and 1929. The Canadiana also held 3,000 passengers and operated between 1910 and 1956. A concrete pier

553-583: A collection of different rides, including a pair of roller coasters and a large launched free fall. The park was founded by John Holer , a Slovenian immigrant who had worked in circuses in Europe. Holer and a partner bought a portion of the Harry Oakes estate near the falls. The park opened in 1961 as "Marine Wonderland and Animal Farm". Holer welded two large steel tanks together and brought in three sea lions and charged one quarter for admission and another to feed

632-677: A complaint to the Parliament of Canada's Lobbying Commissioner about Marineland's breaches of the Canadian Lobbying Act . Marineland had privately lobbied Members of Parliament and Senators without registering with the Lobbying Commissioner in efforts to stop Bill S-203. Marineland's lawyer Andrew Burns registered as a lobbyist in May 2018. Progressive Conservatives in the Senate, led by Sen. Don Plett, used procedural obstruction to keep

711-533: A cost of CA$ 6 million. In June 2019, Marineland signed a ten-year partnership agreement with the Mystic Aquarium 's Sea Research Foundation (a subsidiary of Ocean Wise Inc.) for beluga research. In September 2019, it was announced that Marineland had sold two beluga whales to Oceanographic, a Spanish facility owned by Ocean Wise Inc., with the permission of the Canadian government. There were rumours in 2023 that

790-403: A court battle with Marineland over the fate of Ikaika , a killer whale. Ikaika had been originally loaned to Marineland under the terms of a breeding loan agreement between the two organizations, but SeaWorld decided to terminate the agreement due to concerns about Ikaika's mental and physical well-being due to deteriorating conditions at the park. Marineland initially refused to return Ikaika, but

869-495: A former Marineland employee whose identity has not been revealed to the public. ( The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the complaint file which was reviewed by some members of the news media; only excerpts have been published.) At that time, the OSPCA began an investigation of possible animal abuse at the park using its staff and a veterinarian. On November 25, 2016, the OSPCA charged Marineland with five counts of animal cruelty under

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948-524: A full-fledged amusement park in 1890. In 1896, the Ontario Southern Railway began to provide connection between the park and the mainline rail station in Ridgeway . This service consisted of a unique elevated monorail style train, and ran for only three summers, through 1898. Boat service connected nearby Buffalo with the park. Initially, in the 1890s, a ferry service operated small boats with

1027-403: A person to whales—what activists call a 'non- human person'—and then to other species". The bill would "fundamentally and critically damage Marineland" and "essentially destroy Marineland's future". Marineland stated that it had enough belugas, but it wanted to get more porpoises in the future and a companion for its one orca. In September 2017, Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May filed

1106-491: A variety of illnesses caused by problems with water quality and chronic understaffing. Holer denied the allegations in the report, which was largely based on interviews conducted with former Marineland employees. The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals declined to press charges, but did order changes in park procedures that were then implemented by Marineland. The controversies led to Suzie McNeil , singer of

1185-561: A vocal critic of the park. In June 2020, the film was named as the winner of 2020 Rogers Audience Award and as Overall Favourite at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival . The Audience Award allowed the film to be fast tracked in the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature category, "provided it meets all other criteria for eligibility". The CBC's Documentary Channel item about

1264-420: Is a former member of Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA). The company "voluntarily and temporarily" withdrew from CAZA in May 2017, stating it was expanding the area for animals and "will be continuing to work with CAZA to ensure that the expansion is successfully harmonized with CAZA principles". In 2020, however, the facility did not open in spring as planned because of the restrictions required by

1343-469: Is considered one of the greatest wooden coasters ever built, and was awarded Coaster Landmark status by American Coaster Enthusiasts . At its peak in the 1940s and early 1950s, the park had about 20,000 visitors daily throughout the summer, from Victoria Day through Labour Day. Boat service from Buffalo was discontinued after a race riot aboard the Canadiana in 1956. George C. Hall died in 1972 and

1422-492: Is slated for redevelopment. No amusement rides are operating and it is claimed that all land animals have been transferred from the facility, however videos in 2024 showed large numbers of deer and some bears still on site. The park continues to exhibit dolphins and beluga whales . In the past, the park had performing marine animal shows, exhibits of marine and land animals, and amusement rides. The marine mammals included dolphins , sea lions , and beluga whales . Until 2023,

1501-609: Is the author of its own misfortune." In January 2020, Ontario's Animal Welfare Services took over enforcement of anti-cruelty laws from OSPCA. Subsequently, it opened an investigation into Marineland, which is ongoing as of May 2023. Since then, Marineland has been inspected at least 160 times, but the government has so far refused to reveal any details. However, in May 2021, an affidavit obtained by The Canadian Press revealed that inspectors had issued two orders to Marineland to repair water systems in animal enclosures. Court documents also revealed that inspectors found all marine mammals in

1580-510: The Toronto Star alleging animal mistreatment, resulting in negative publicity. An inspection by the OSPCA and CAZA, however, found "no issues of concern". The Star reported that the OSPCA issued orders to Marineland to improve the water conditions for animals at the park and address specific issues with other animals, and that Marineland complied. In 2015, the Government of Ontario banned

1659-503: The COVID-19 pandemic . The facility remained closed due to restrictions placed by the Government of Ontario . Marineland reopened for its 2022 season. John Holer's widow, Marie Holer, owned the park from John Holer's death in 2018 until her own death on September 6, 2024. The park has been for sale since at least 2023. > All of the rides present in the park were closed as well as some of

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1738-474: The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) and Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), many times over the years, some leading to orders issued by the OSPCA. Marineland has filed nine lawsuits against activists, former employees and the media, and a further lawsuit against the OSPCA for malicious prosecution and reputational damage . In 2012, articles were published by

1817-479: The Ontario Veterinary College was investigating an unspecified number of veterinarians at Marineland. Also in 2013, OSPCA investigated the claims of some former employees of Marineland claimed that the animals' health was being put at risk by low water quality. OSPCA used the results of the investigation to make suggestions to the subsequent provincial review of its animal welfare laws. In April 2014,

1896-521: The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act . The act prohibits the possession or breeding of orcas in Ontario but allowed Marineland to keep its orca. On May 10, 2016, Marineland filed a lawsuit against filmmaker Zach Affolter to prevent the release of his documentary, Black Water . The park alleges that the film contains footage illegally taken at Marineland and is a violation of their policy preventing

1975-712: The Senate of Canada introduced Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act . Marineland would be one of two facilities in Canada to be affected by the law after the bill is passed. Marineland, along with the Vancouver Aquarium, opposed the bill. According to Marineland, the Act advances an agenda of entrenching animal rights into the legal framework: "the granting of the rights of

2054-457: The Toronto Star published an article quoting Hammond and a local resident alleging that John Holer had shot two Labrador Retrievers that had escaped a neighbour's house and entered Marineland property. The article also mentioned that Hammond was told by Holer "to check if there were any collars ... around their necks and if there were, to remove them." In September 2013, it was reported that

2133-464: The 1967 season. In 1968, the park added alligators . Neighbouring attraction "Niagara Falls Indian Village" closed down after the 1968 season and Marineland purchased their property. In 1971, Marineland added orcas. "Kandu" became the park's major attraction. In 1973, the aquarium purchased Kandy, a 4,000-pound (1,800 kg) female orca captured off Vancouver Island in 1973, to mate with Kandu, but she died later that year. Kandu lived until 1979 and

2212-531: The Aquarium, where Demers said she deteriorated because of problems with the water. Smooshi was returned to the barn but problems returned. He asked for more walrus trainers, but his request was denied. By 2012, he had had responsibilities for hiring and training employees taken away, and he chose to resign. On August 15, 2012, the Toronto Star published an article of Demers' account, alleging that many sea mammals at Marineland live in inhumane conditions and suffer from

2291-609: The Crystal Ballroom. Artie Shaw arrived late for his Labour Day performance at the venue in 1939, and the crowd of 7,000 rioted. The Cyclone was added to the park in 1926. It was one of the Giant Cyclone Safety Coasters that were designed by Harry G. Traver , and known for their reputation as dangerous and terrifying. In 1947, the Cyclone was dismantled and its material was used to construct The Comet . The Comet

2370-610: The House of Commons on June 10, 2019. In 2012, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received complaints of animal abuse at the park from former employees and issued orders to Marineland as to the standard of care they should be following. At that time, a full investigation was not conducted. On November 10, 2016, however, the agency received a formal 35-page complaint—compiled by California-based group Last Chance for Animals—which included photographs and videos taken by

2449-419: The OSPCA on January 9, 2017. The new charges related to the treatment of elk, red deer and fallow deer. Deputy chief Jennifer Bluhm of the OSPCA provided the following comment: "While the investigation is still ongoing, these are all the charges we expect to be laid in this case." On previous occasions, Marineland had stated that it would defend against charges in court. The company's first appearance to plead to

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2528-552: The OSPCA’s perceived failure to protect animals that is being led by the same activists they are now firmly in bed with. ... We will hold the OSPCA to the high standards of Ontario’s legal system and require them to defend their charges to the fullest extent possible." On August 10, 2017, all charges were withdrawn in Niagara Falls Provincial court. The prosecutor stated that there was no likelihood of conviction and pursuit of

2607-466: The Ontario SPCA Act over their treatment of peafowls , guineafowls , and American black bears in the zoo portion of the park. The Ontario SPCA alleged that the animals were distressed and did not receive the required standard of care from Marineland. The company denied the allegations. Marineland also provided a statement to The Canadian Press: "(Last Chance for Animals) is working together with

2686-659: The Vancouver newspaper The Georgia Straight published an article alleging that five harbour seals transferred from the Vancouver Aquarium had fallen ill at Marineland due to "poor water chemistry". According to the article, one, Pepper, died in 2006 from the conditions while the rest were blind. Marineland filed a CA$ 600,000 lawsuit in July 2014 against The Georgia Straight and the article's writer for defamation and damages. According to Marineland, Pepper did not die as described in

2765-421: The animal activist community, to please its donors, and to effectively destroy Marineland." Marineland is seeking CA$ 21 million in damages. The OSPCA responded publicly that it "vehemently denies all of the allegations and will defend itself." A subsequent pleading by the OSPCA's stated that any losses suffered by Marineland due to the charges "are entirely the result of its own misconduct and that (Marineland)

2844-523: The animals. The attraction also featured an underwater show featuring two female swimmers. In 1963, a trained sea lion "Jeff" escaped from Marine Wonderland and made it to the Niagara River and went over the falls. Holer offered a CA$ 50 reward and organized a helicopter search. The seal was recaptured by Holer a few days later in Queenston , where it was found sunning itself with teenager Tommy Haines, who

2923-482: The article and the others were not blind but were in fact generally healthy. It was the eighth lawsuit filed by Marineland since 2012, and the third against a media outlet. In 2015, the Government of Ontario took up debate of the keeping of orcas. Bob Barker urged Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne to order Marineland to give up Kiska and other animals. On May 28, 2015, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed

3002-588: The bill from moving to a vote. In June 2018, the senators added amendments intended to exclude Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium from being covered by the bill. The bill was passed by the Senate in October 2018 and was sent to the House of Commons of Canada . Andrew Burns, Marineland's lawyer appeared at a House Fisheries Committee meeting in March 2019, to propose an amendment regarding future beluga births at Marineland, claiming

3081-537: The care of American Black Bears," said Brent Ross, a spokesman for the ministry. A Toronto Star report in November 2012 stated that "Marineland has had 26 killer whales over roughly three decades, according to ... Zoocheck Canada. Of these, 17 died at Marineland. ... Six died in other parks after being transferred while one died en route from Marineland to Japan". The following include orca deaths that were well documented. Marineland's main advertising comes through

3160-450: The charges was set for January 26, 2017. On the same day, Marineland posted another response on its website, critical of the OSPCA handling of the investigation and the charges, including the following comment: "We believe the OSPCA is continuing a publicity campaign at the behest of a band of discredited activists with little relevant expertise or knowledge, in an effort to avoid further embarrassment related to an ongoing investigation into

3239-488: The company would "vigorously defend ourselves against these charges laid by the OSPCA". A news article on August 10, 2017, stated that the park had started a lawsuit against former employee Philip Demers , one of those who had filed complaints with the OSPCA, for $ 1.5 million and that this is only one of nine lawsuits against activists, former employees and the media since 2012. None of the suits has been resolved in court. Six additional counts of animal cruelty were laid by

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3318-454: The details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 746741327 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Fri, 29 Nov 2024 05:34:53 GMT Marineland of Canada Marineland (official name Marineland of Canada Inc. ) is a themed zoo and amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario , Canada. It is operating on a reduced scale while it

3397-503: The enclosure, then slipped away while staff quieted the animals. Marineland closed the deer enclosure afterwards until modifications were implemented to prevent a future stampede. On May 22, it was announced that the 18-year-old walrus Apollo had died of heart failure. It was the fourth walrus to die at Marineland within two years, after Zeus, Buttercup and Sonja, and left Marineland with a single walrus, Smooshi. In June 2019, Marineland opened its new "Polar Splash" splash park attraction at

3476-541: The exhibits featuring animals. In 2024, the park was only open for two months with a significant portion of the park remaining closed and admission being sold at reduced rates. Marineland keeps beluga whales , bottlenose dolphins , grey seals , harbour seals , penguins and sea lions . The belugas are kept in Arctic Cove, Friendship Cove and King Waldorf Stadium. As of August 2021, Marineland had 40 belugas. Marineland at one time had several walruses and orcas. Kiska

3555-566: The facility across the river to the United States. In 1982, Marineland purchased Keiko , a killer whale, from an aquarium in Hafnarfjörður , Iceland. Keiko started performing for the public and developed skin lesions indicative of poor health. He was then sold for $ 350,000 to Reino Aventura (now named Six Flags México ), an amusement park in Mexico City, in 1985. Keiko was the star of

3634-552: The film stated that Demers had "appeared four times on the Joe Rogan show, has testified before the Canadian Senate, and is being sued for $ 1.5 million for plotting to steal Smooshi, the walrus". On September 20, 2022, Demers and the park reached a non-costs agreement where the walrus Smooshi and her calf Koyuk would be rehomed. The two walruses were removed to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in March 2023. In 2015, then-Senator Wilfred Moore of

3713-432: The fired former employee to exact revenge over his firing and advance their radical cause and goal to shut Marineland." The company also posted a commentary on their Web site indicating that it is "being attacked by disgruntled former employees again, who are working with a professional activist group that raises just under 2 million dollars per year to share their distorted view of facts about others." The post indicated that

3792-471: The importation of eight individuals. In 2014, several belugas were switched between Arctic Cove and Friendship Cove. In 2004, Marineland opened the "Sky Screamer" triple tower ride. That same year, Marineland bought the Green Oaks Mobile Home Park across the street from the park with plans to relocate maintenance buildings to the site. In 2009, Marineland evicted 47 families that were tenants at

3871-609: The keeping in principle, although it stated that Marineland was one of the better facilities. The level of concern grew in the 1990s. In 1997, a protest was held outside the park by Ric O'Barry , the trainer of Flipper of the television series. Other organizations present at the protest included Friends of the Dolphins, Zoocheck Canada and Earth Island Institute. The protesters alleged that Marineland separated mother and child killer whales too quickly and four other whales were stored in unsuitable facilities. In September 2011, SeaWorld won

3950-417: The lawsuit was resolved, the film's release was on hold. In May 2012, Philip Demers , trainer of the walrus Smooshi, resigned from Marineland. He had been an employee of Marineland for 12 years and had been noted for his close relationship with Smooshi. Demers made public his concerns about Marineland and has been sued by Marineland. In Demers' version of accounts, Smooshi was moved from Marineland's barn to

4029-659: The marine mammals it kept. The first walrus was Sonja, from the Moscow Zoo . It was joined by Zeus and Apollo two months later and Pandora, Buttercup and Buddy in 2002. Marineland added Smooshi and Azul in 2004. Sonja died in 2017, and Zeus died in 2018. In 2003, Marineland opened the "Arctic Cove" beluga whale exhibit. Beluga whales were held in Friendship Cove from May 30, 1999, until the opening of Arctic Cove in late 2003. Belugas returned to Friendship Cove in December 2008 following

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4108-402: The matters was found to not be in the public interest The OSPCA inspected the park a week later and did not find any issues of concern. In October 2017, Marineland filed a lawsuit against the OSPCA, alleging that the OSPCA launched its investigation purely to harm Marineland. "It was motivated by a series of improper objectives, including a desire to accomplish its own policy agenda, to mollify

4187-626: The movie Free Willy in 1993. After spending 1996–1998 at Oregon Coast Aquarium , Keiko was returned to a sea pen in Iceland and was released to the ocean in July 2002. He swam to Norway, eventually settling in the Taknes fjord in November 2002, where he was not catching fish and had little contact with wild Orcas; until his death, Keiko was fed daily by the Keiko Project group. Keiko died of pneumonia in December 2003. In 2001, Marineland added walruses to

4266-533: The new law is unconstitutional. Senator Murray Sinclair, the bill's second sponsor in the Senate and a former judge, told MPs no one is going to be prosecuted when currently pregnant belugas give birth. In the opinion of Sinclair and May, Burns was only intending to delay the bill, so that it could not be passed before the end of the current session of the Parliament of Canada . The bill was passed by committee without amendments. The bill passed third and final reading in

4345-415: The park also kept walruses and orcas . The park also kept bears, deer, and other land animals. It was founded and operated by John Holer , a Slovenian immigrant, from 1961 until his death in 2018. He started with one tank and built the operation into a major attraction and employer. The park's keeping of marine mammals is controversial, and the park has been involved in several lawsuits related to

4424-572: The park closed at the end of the 1989 season. Following the park's closure in 1989, the rides were sold at auction . The Comet was sold to Charles Wood and moved to The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor in Queensbury, New York The Ferris wheel from the park was sold to Centreville Amusement Park in Toronto and remains in operation. The Giant Coaster, the oldest roller coaster in North America at

4503-479: The park for years running concessions , and was famous for his Gourmet Suckers . Rebstock would go on to open Bay Beach Park to the west of Crystal Beach Park in 1926. Hall constructed the Crystal Ballroom in the winter of 1924. The dance hall 's location required the addition of a concrete seawall and boardwalk along the park's border to Lake Erie . Many famous acts such as Count Basie , Frank Sinatra , Glenn Miller Orchestra , and Jelly Roll Morton played

4582-489: The park in late 2016 and early 2017, but all of the charges were withdrawn by government prosecutors later that year. Holer died on June 23, 2018, aged 82. He was praised as an "immigrant success story" by Senator Don Plett (Manitoba). Holer had been seriously ill for five months and died at his home on Chippewa Parkway. Holer was survived by his wife Marie and son Peter. Another son, John Mark Jr., died in 2013. The Mayor of Niagara Falls, Jim Diodati , sees Marineland at

4661-546: The park owner refused his pleas for humane euthanasia. On December 20, 2012, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment announced an investigation into several mass animal graves at the park. The ministry had no previous knowledge of the graves, as Marineland lacks permits for such use. After an investigation by the ministry, Marineland was allowed to continue using a section of the site for animal burials. On March 5, 2013,

4740-417: The park to be in distress. Marineland appealed the orders, denying the distress and any relation between water quality and recent deaths, but dropped the appeal a few weeks later. On May 31, 2023, the Government of Ontario charged Marineland over the care of its black bears. "Marineland of Canada, Inc. in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has been charged with three counts of failing to comply with an order, related to

4819-528: The park would be sold, but no sale was announced. Marineland registered with the Government of Ontario in January 2023 as a lobbyist, to assist in the sale of the property. In 2024, the park opened on a reduced scale, with no rides and no animal shows. In September 2024, Marie Holer passed away. The future of the park is unresolved, although the park says it has a succession plan. Marineland and its owner John Holer have been involved in many controversies throughout

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4898-554: The park's jingle , "Everyone Loves Marineland", to ask the park to no longer use her recording. Demers's campaign against the institution is profiled in the 2020 documentary film The Walrus and the Whistleblower . It was released as part of the Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival. It documented the relationship former Marineland trainer Phil Demers had with the walrus Smooshi before he quit in 2012 and became

4977-446: The park's history. Animal rights activists have picketed regularly outside the park property for several years and continue to protest as of 2018. In 1977, the U.S. Department of Fisheries seized six bottlenose dolphins that had been illegally caught by John Holer in the Gulf of Mexico . In 1983, Niagara Falls mayor Wayne Thomson resigned amid controversy over a vacation given as a gift by

5056-495: The park's original equipment. Coca-Cola still bottles and distributes PJ's Crystal Beach Loganberry , a drink the park made famous. Several books have been written about the history of Crystal Beach Park: Several documentaries have been produced about the history of Crystal Beach Park: Roller coasters Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include

5135-413: The park's ownership reverted to his estate. His grandson, Van Hall, purchased a controlling interest in the park. By 1983, the park was losing business to Canada's Wonderland , Darien Lake , Fantasy Island , and Marineland of Canada . The park avoided bankruptcy by going into receivership and was taken over by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce . Crystal Beach Park Limited, an ownership group, bought

5214-621: The park. The tenants appealed to the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board, lost their case and were ordered off the property by March 2010. One tenant committed suicide while others continued to fight Marineland but had to leave in 2011. Holer was ordered to pay $ 11,000 each to several tenants for harassment. Beginning in 2012, the park has been the subject of several allegations of poor conditions for its animals by former employees and animal activists have protested outside its gates on several occasions. The park stated that it had been inspected by

5293-425: The practice of breeding and keeping orcas in captivity, while allowing the existing one to remain at Marineland. Marineland's last orca, Kiska, died at the park in March 2023, having not interacted with another orca since 2011. In November 2016 and January 2017, the OSPCA received a complaint from a former employee through the animal rights organization Last Chance for Animals . The OSPCA filed some charges against

5372-454: The practice. The keeping of the sea mammals is opposed by animal rights activists , and Marineland has been the site of numerous animal rights demonstrations. As of 2018, Marineland of Canada kept about 4,000 land and marine animals. Marineland operates 16 theme park attractions for children and adults. The park does not release annual attendance figures. Published amounts range from an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 people annually. Marineland

5451-402: The property out of receivership in 1984. Members of the ownership group included Edward Hall (son of George C. Hall), J. Allen Bernel, Joseph F. Biondolillo, and Rudy J. Bonifacio. Bernel died in 1985, and the remaining members bought out his interest in the park. They spent over $ 2 million during the next three seasons for renovations and improvements. Financial problems loomed again, however, and

5530-481: The time, was bought for its cars and scrapped. The gated community Crystal Beach Tennis & Yacht Club has occupied the park's land since 1992. The concrete pier that was built in 1921 and concrete seawall that was built in 1924 remain part of the complex. The housing development South Coast Village has occupied the park's former parking lot since 2016. Crystal Beach Candy Company still produces Hall's Original Suckers and Crystal Beach Sugar Waffles using

5609-407: The use of footage for commercial purposes. Affolter responded by asserting that " Black Water is meant as an educational, non-commercial film that dives into the moral question behind keeping cetaceans in captivity." Marineland demanded CA$ 1 million in damages for breach of its intellectual property rights. Affolter denied the allegations and said he had found the video of Kiska on Facebook . Until

5688-500: The world's largest roller coaster, for a total cost of CA$ 80 million . The " Dragon Mountain " roller coaster opened in 1983 along with other rides. At a cost of CA$ 9 million , the roller coaster opened without CA$ 3 million reproductions of the American and Horseshoe falls, postponed to the future. In 1984, Holer announced the postponement of part of the expansion, citing an 86% increase in municipal property taxes, and threatened to move

5767-554: Was blocked by the Government of British Columbia , at the instigation of Greenpeace activists. Claimed to be property by the BC government and resources by the Government of Canada , the orca eventually was transported to Marineland after it was determined that orcas were a resource under the control of the Canadian government. The incident led to the ending of the capture of orcas in British Columbia waters. In 1976, Marineland announced

5846-536: Was charged by the province of Ontario for providing inadequate care to their black bears under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. Marineland was charged $ 85,000 in 2024 for failing to improve conditions for their black bears after the previous visit. Provincial inspectors concluded that these animals had minimal access to water, were being kept in unsuitable enclosures, and were unable to fulfill their psychological needs. Marineland has

5925-600: Was constructed to service the Americana and Canadiana in 1921. The park's second roller coaster, Backety-Back Scenic Railway , operated from 1909 to 1926. The third was the Giant Coaster that began operation in 1916. In 1924 the divided ownership of the park and the land ends with their acquisition by the Buffalo and Crystal Beach Company, of which George C. Hall was president and would fully own by 1948. Hall had worked at

6004-500: Was eventually ordered to by the Ontario Superior Court as well as pay $ 255,000 in compensation to SeaWorld for legal expenses. On September 10, 2012, the Toronto Star published an article quoting former Marineland supervisor Jim Hammond alleging that Marineland owner John Holer had shot one of the baby deer in his park through the windpipe with a 12-gauge shotgun, leaving it to choke on its blood without dying. Hammond claimed

6083-435: Was given the reward. In 1964, Holer added two dolphins, along with a few other animals and the attraction became known as "Marineland And Game Farm". By 1966, a 2,000-seat "aquatheatre" was completed along with a "grotto" of aquariums and shops. The grotto in the new Aquarium Dome contained eight tanks used to display fresh-water fish. The park became a popular family attraction and recorded an annual attendance of 250,000 for

6162-537: Was replaced by Nootka, captured and brought to the park in 1981. Nootka lived until 2008. By 1975, the park kept over 1,000 animals and claimed to be Niagara Falls' "most popular attraction after the falls." In 1975, Marineland became involved in a controversy over another orca captured off Vancouver Island. The capture of 'Kanduke' by the Sealand of the Pacific aquarium of Victoria, British Columbia , for purchase by Marineland

6241-478: Was the last orca kept at Marineland until her death in 2023. She was nicknamed the World's Loneliest Orca because she spent the last 12 years of her life completely alone. Kiska was the last captive orca to be held in Canada as a result of the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act . In addition to marine exhibits, Marineland hosts land animals at its park, such as black bears and deer. In 2023, Marineland

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