For decades, Marineland was a destination for Canadian children and their parents who wanted an up-close look at ocean-life near Niagara Falls.

But behind the aquatic-themed roller coasters and dolphin performances was a dark history of documented mistreatment of animals and lingering financial problems.

Ontario's Animal Welfare Services has conducted multiple investigations over the past several years, visiting the park more than 200 times since 2020, according to CBC News.

Amid financial struggles, the park has been trying to get permission to sell 30 beluga whales to China. When their permits were denied, the park said it may have to euthanise the whales.

Now advocates, experts and officials are looking for ways to save the whales - though few agree on one solution, and some say Marineland's threats to kill its whales are all talk.

The massive aquatic park, started by John and Marie Holer in 1961, sits on over 1,000 acres (400 ha) of prime Ontario real estate.

But what was once a beloved attraction with a catchy commercial jingle has faced growing scrutiny over its care for animals, which also included land animals like bears and elk.

In 2019, Canada passed a bill making it illegal to hold a whale, dolphin or porpoise captive.

The legislation created protections for any future animals, but not for the animals already in captivity, leaving little room for federal government involvement with the whales at Marineland.

Criticisms of the park date back several years, and in 2020 Animal Welfare Services opened an investigation into the park.

That investigation led to the provincial animal welfare agency........

© BBC