Fourth group of Marineland whales leaving shuttered Ontario park

Marineland’s major effort to relocate its captive whales is nearing completion, with a fourth group leaving the Niagara Falls, Ontario facility on Friday night. The park said specialists lifted three belugas—males Cyprus, Jasper and Xavier—into tanks earlier in the evening, then loaded them onto a plane bound for SeaWorld in San Diego. After this transfer, eight belugas and four dolphins will remain at the shuttered attraction, which is up for sale. All remaining animals are scheduled to be shipped abroad by the end of the month as the park said it can’t afford ongoing care. The federal government previously blocked a deal to sell 30 belugas to China.