Five animal cruelty charges against Marineland have been laid by Ontario’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  The charges so far are related to peacocks, guinea hens and black bears . Further charges are pending.

The OSPCA said inspection officers and a veterinarian went to Marineland on Nov. 10 after receiving a complaint about alleged animal cruelty.

Marineland faces one count of permitting a peacock to be in distress, one count of failing to comply with the prescribed standards of care for a peacock and two counts for failing to comply with the prescribed standards of care for guinea hens. They also face one count for failing to comply with the prescribed standards of care for about 35 American black bears, including failing to provide adequate food and water for them.

The tourist attraction closed its doors to the public after the Thanksgiving weekend on October 9th for the winter season.No animals were removed as part of its investigation, but officials say they will continue to monitor the animals as the investigation continues.

Marineland first opened in 1963 with a few sea lions in a small pool in Niagara Falls.It has since grown into an amusement park with one killer whale, dozens of beluga whales, dolphins, walruses and land animals such as deer, bears, birds and fish.

Marineland has been investigated before but has always maintained it treats its animals well and has said all allegations of animal abuse are not true.

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