Why Everyone Should Still Love MarineLand (Draft)

"(...)Ker-splashhhhh!!! The big fish came down with the force of a monster-truck ! The cool water came cresting up out of the pool, and while we screamed in mock terror, it was actually very refreshing in the sunny summer heat when it came crashing down all around us. We all squealed and laughed in awe at the gentle behemoth... we'd never experienced anything like this before in our lives!

When I reflect on that awesome display of discipline and power, the successful partnership between 'man and beast', and the memories of those uncontrollable screams of joy - that seem mostly restricted to our youth; it is hard for me to believe that I was just an unwitting pawn in the schemes of an evil empire. Especially, the idea that MarineLand was, and remains, devoted to creating suffering for these beautiful fruits of nature... all in pursuit of a quick buck ? I simply do not believe that."

Behold this evil for yourself. Some of the worst stuff starts at about 45 seconds in.
Yes, that's sarcasm. Feel free to stop it after a minute or so and enjoy the article below.

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   In the city where I live, we have a zoo. It charges no admission. It is fully accredited and is, in fact, owned and operated publicly by the citizens via the city itself. It is widely considered to be a unique little gem in our area. The workers are professionals, or students, employed by the city. The park generates some modest revenues from the sale of on-site foods, as well as an "olde timey train ride" ride that people have enjoyed for many years. The story of our local zoo is also a story of our town's history and growth. From it's humble origins (a gifted alligator from the USA, living in a water reservoir), our zoo has blossomed into a very well regarded educational animal sanctuary. And also, the property still houses a large portion of Peterborough's public water-works facilities.

   I have always found our little zoo to be a very charming establishment. It still harkens back to a time, around the end of the Victorian era, where people were fascinated by the many things being discovered and shared between disparate lands for the first time. Back when Sir Sandford Fleming was still quite possibly crashing on relatives couches (well before he invented standard time). To an era before you could just click-and-watch anything, anywhere, anytime. It is also a reminder of how recently we seemed to have absolutely no idea what we were doing, and how much we have learned and grown, ourselves.  As things progressed, and knowledge expanded, Peterborough's Riverview Park & Zoo changed, from a place of simple exotic wonder, into a more general educational facility with the highest standards of care for its various inhabitants.

   It is the usual case, that most of these types of facilities have followed in a similar vein. Those who have not manifest the effort have dwindled away. Major zoos, the world over, are now much more devoted to healthful preservation and education than they are to strictly having people gawk at things they do not understand, or have never seen before. Interestingly, however, as this societal evolution has occurred, there has almost simultaneously been growth in resistance to the, so called, exploitation of animals which are held in any such captivity. I find it curious; as we have increased our standards and efforts around appropriate care, education and sanctuary – a movement has grown which advocates the complete abandonment of the notion that there is any value left in these institutions.

Zoos everywhere have evolved. Certainly in North America, no one is advocating for
exploitation anywhere. These facilities are held to many high standards
for the safety and care of both, human visitors and animal occupants today.
It can be argued that our knowledge and our morality have both improved
somewhat, over the years.

   Over this last year, MarineLand Canada has come under heavy fire for the way it operates (or perhaps better said; for the fact that it exists). This really captured my attention. I find it disheartening and perplexing. Much like my local zoo, MarineLand sprouted from little more than one oddity in a tub of water, coupled with peoples remaining fascination for the bizarre and unknown. As with our "gator in the pond" here, people wanted to pay for the chance to observe their interesting and exotic planet-mates, at what was then Marine Wonderland and Animal Park, in Niagra Falls. They came in droves. Eager people lined up day-after-day. Some came every few days, for weeks on end. People couldn't get enough! This is plainly evident from the massive growth these facilities have manifested over the ensuing years. In my town, the facility grew into a massive property, worth many millions in it's own right. In Niagra Falls, MarineLand became a national attraction of incomparable scale and uniqueness, available for the wide-eyed entertainment of all Canadians, of all citizens of the world, really... an even larger community gem, one might think.

Especially these days, it is important that we remember
our capacity to be astounded, to revere plain beauty.

   So, why has MarineLand come under such heavy fire? And this, while my local zoo (rightfully so, I feel I should add) is widely hailed as one of the most wholesome experiences in the entire region where I live ? I think much of it has to do with the perceived motivations of the stakeholders. As I said before; here at home, the citizens own it. The city runs it. It charges no admission. Obviously profit motive is not a major factor. Also it is equally obvious that the very highest of standards must be maintained due to it's completely public nature. To my knowledge there has never been a substantive allegation of any serious mistreatment at the facility. Certainly not during my years in the city.

   Compare this to MarineLand; it is privately owned by one man. Some of it's history includes past employees that have voiced extreme opposition to it's policies and practices -pushing a narrative that profit is the only thing that matters- even to the detriment of the animals' well-being. Moreover, it charges admission to generate profits, as well as to fund it's operations (which are ongoing even through the tourist off-season). Beyond this, the OSPCA in Ontario has recently been given an additional $5,000,000.00 in their annual budget, basically a tenfold increase, which seems to have also been accompanied by an implied mandate to really dig-into MarineLand, in order to boost the profile of the agency itself, should the opportunity ever arise.
   As a result of this, a series of OSPCA-lodged complaints from a group based outside of Canada, means that MarineLand must now also incur additional legal expenses defending itself. Costs which could potentially divert resources that may have otherwise be utilized towards providing above-and-beyond care, or expanding and upgrading the park, etc. The OSPCA will also spend a tremendous amount on legal fees for these current matters, but taxpayers will be paying for that, so no worries there, right ?
   To me, it seems like the more public attention that is generated for the negative elements of their allegations, the better it will serve the agency's interest. With a mandate to root out every form of animal abuse in the province, at their sole discretion, and completely at the expense of taxpayers, businesses and animal owners; there is little positive assistance they actually give towards corrective measures or education -even in instances where the OSPCA is wrong to make or pursue allegations in the first place. When they get a chance to come after MarineLand, it's a plus for them, in my opinion, regardless of the outcome. At the same time, it is a terrible burden for the facility. It is a very costly PR and legal entanglement.
   Certainly, it would be hard to imagine how the OSPCA would otherwise find justification for the millions of dollars in additional funding they receive now. Busting the odd cat-lady or horse-starver here-and-there just wouldn't cut it. Not to mention the millions they are already sitting on, just gaining interest in GIC-type holdings! The agency literally has so much cash at this point, it would be hard not to mistake it for an investment-house ! To my thinking, it has largely become little more than a multi-million dollar, sentiment-fueled, make-work project for social justice warriors. MarineLand is the highest profile target they could hope for in the whole country. Even the slightest slip-up and they will likely always face the maximum of punitive actions that fall within the OSPCA's vast power to execute, going forward. And very few will step-up to defend the value of MarineLand in such a hostile social climate either.

First, a picture of the President that I received in a package from the White House when I was younger,
thanking me for my efforts helping to free Keiko - the whale from Free Willy.
The second image is the Fragile Oasis Prize I won in 2013 for my project on water stewardship,
floating inside the ISS, during expedition 27/28.

  In the earlier 2000s I worked for Greenpeace Headquarters in Toronto, as well as being the membership chair for the Green Party of Canada in my riding, for a time. Beyond these vocational activities, some years later I also won the Fragile Oasis Prize in Education, from the International Space Station, for my project “Free The Water” -an advocacy project about water stewardship. So suffice it to say, I think I understand all the reasons a person might feel that it is appropriate to have a "hate-on" for MarineLand at this time. But hate, I have observed, is very seldom found upon the path towards greater things. So let's stop and consider a few of the big issues rationally for a second.

   Please understand, I in no way advocate for one 95-year-old lady living alone with 65 cats, anymore than I would advocate that someone should not provide adequate food and water for their horse. But, I do not support the idea that it is appropriate for an arms-length government agency to be given so much additional funding, so little oversight, or such a wide mandate – and then direct a good portion of that towards starting a costly legal battle with a private entity which already has the inbuilt obligation and incentive to provide excellent care for creatures in their custody. The animals at MarineLand definitely need adequate food, water and consideration. That being said, since it is a private facility; if attendance is discouraged by radical activism, if quasi-government entities are using it as a make-work project for their new funding goals, and if people fail to see its inherent value, then we may quickly lose every precious opportunity it affords us now -and into the future. But then, just what sorts of future opportunities am I talking about here ?

i) If MarineLand closes, does it really benefit the animals ?

ii) If MarineLand closes, what are the losses now, and into the future, for the people and communities it serves ?

iii) Is there a better way to resolve the issues and appropriate the monies currently being invested in punitive enforcement ?

   I will tell you directly that the following is strictly my personal opinion and I am not a marine biologist, nor have I ever worked in any zoo, or at MarineLand. I have not received any compensation for this writing from them or any of their associates. I just thought it was important that someone should bring up the other side of this issue, so I wanted to speak out. These are just my own feelings based on the information I have been able to observe and collate on the topics. But, I am passionate about the environment, and the value MarineLand holds for many people. I have researched the facility and the related topics appropriately and in some depth, to the best of my abilities. As far as I know, MarineLand does not support my positions, other than the one; that they should have a natural right to remain in business, and to expand that business if they can. On that point, I think, they would tend to agree with me.

i) If MarineLand closes, it does not benefit the animals as much as you might think: "Nature" is an incredibly vicious place to live. Tucked safely in our homes, inside our cities, humans have very little left to fear from the animal kingdom today. Such is not the case for the planet's remaining free animal populations. Basic predators are an ongoing concern for animals in the wild, but so are man-made pollution and other harmful activities, like land development and hunting, for example. An animal simply 'living in nature' is in no way assured more happiness, safety, or proper care, than one living at MarineLand Canada. In many, many cases, quite the opposite is true. In addition, animals that have been previously domesticated seemed to have a difficult time re-integrating into the more 'natural setting' from whence they came. So if you're talking about shutting-down a facility like MarineLand, what you're really talking about, to me, is euthanizing a groups of animals who's only crime would be; that we have enjoyed them previously, but don't anymore.
   The animals neither asked to be domesticated in this way, nor have any power to decide their fates outside of it. They are innocents, and people today –right now, at this very moment– are dedicated to their proper care. Care that is very likely far more considerate than any they would receive in the wild. Many people still come, from all over, to enjoy their simple presence. I am against culling them because of misguided moral outrage. Nature is no longer (if it ever was) a safer, happier place for the animals than MarineLand. Period.

Dolphins like this would be harvested by man in a moment - for meat,
oil and whatever else, in "nature". The opportunity for them to
live at MarineLand ensures a safe life of amusing and educating children.
Why is that so bad ?

ii) If MarineLand closes, the losses may be much greater than you might think right now: Aside from the obvious concerns of a loss of tax revenue, employment, tourism incentives for the region and "happy feelings people get while the deer steal all their feed from the bottom corner of the bag" - the losses now and into the future may be quite significant. Climate change, pollution and over-hunting are pushing more and more species to the brink today. If climate change continues to accelerate, it is quite possible that parts of the biosphere may be very different in the not-so-distant future. It is highly unlikely that habitats will become more conducive to healthy living based on today's leading projections. As well as nature not being inherently more considerate of the animals' well-being, we -human beings- are in fact making nature more hostile than ever.
   My local zoo was opened in about 1933 (almost 85 years ago already). MarineLand opened about 1961, over 50 years ago. The Vienna Zoo has been in operation since 1752. So, barring continued interference or financial collapse, it seems reasonable that MarineLand might be around for another 50 years... how do we expect things to be, environmentally, at that time ? Based on my own experience and knowledge, I feel I can say quite straightforwardly that the situation 'in nature' does not look likely to improve for the well-being of the varieties of species who are still dependent on it. The point that I am dancing around is this: if we don't get our environmental house in order, places like zoos, and MarineLand might be some of the last remaining safe-spaces for these treasures of the natural world. In my opinion, we would be remiss to discard that potential over a hyper-emotional misunderstanding the facilities long-term value in certain situations.
   If the $5 Million that was being given to the OSPCA annually had been given to MarineLand instead, the facility could have improved, expanded and also become completely accountable to public standards (which they largely already are anyhow, though operated by a private entity). The losses today are also ones of moral perception, self inflicted wounds on our collective subconscious: We imply that the people who's jobs (and passion) it is to care for these creatures are harming them. We imply that the animals themselves are much worse off for being in our care. We throw away a treasure and all we get is an abandoned pile of broken dreams and self-loathing in return. I think we can do better than this and I think we, and the animals, deserve that we should.

If MarineLand was better funded and had a stronger mandate for the work, I believe it could already
have been used to help save the critically endangered Vaquitas of Central America. There are thought to be
only a few handfuls of them left at present.

iii) Yes, I think there are better ways we can resolve any issues to everyone's satisfaction: On the part of the public: get educated!! Protesting MarineLand is fine-by-me, if they are actively abusing the animals. Even if the care was incredibly sub-standard, I would have more tolerance for the supposed outrage. But, people seem to think that making a dolphin jump through hoops is abuse, when it's actually getting him some very healthy cardio exercise (and snacks !). Are you abusing your dog when you tell him to sit ? If you go and play fetch with him ? You do know he could just be out in the wild, getting all the exercise he needs running away from hungry wolves in the moonlight instead, right ?
   On the part of MarineLand, I think they need to seriously consider re-branding from just "pop by for a day of frivolous fun!" to really focusing on expanding their education and conservation mandates. In a perfect world, I would like to see them be given some massive funding from the provincial and/or federal governments. Not necessarily on an annual basis, as I wouldn't want it to become dependent on corporate welfare like that. However, for many years they have surely provided the governments with considerable revenues, why not a little pay-back when they could use the support or want to expand ? If a place like MarineLand is enhanced, expanded and very-much made a place of learning and preservation -not primarily one of amusement- I believe it could even better serve its animal inhabitants, as well as it's human visitors.

Lets make sure that this isn't the only way children
can see rare marine animals in the future. #fukushima

  I am no fan of punitive measures in society, on many fronts. I prefer enhanced education as a solution to most problems wherever possible. The current cases the OSPCA have brought against MarineLand are largely without merit in my opinion. A fruit sticker, an eye infection; everyone knows that this kind of thing happens almost every day at schools across the country – to children, no less! Would we be advocating for the closure of a school cafeteria if a child ate a (safely edible, though not recommended) fruit sticker one day, heaven-forbid ? If a child had a bad eye infection, and the doctors chose to wait, to remove damaged tissue instead of killing the child, would we be so up-in-arms ?
   And lastly, I have seen several major complaints about the bears eating sugar-puffs all day at MarineLand too, but we all know of a certain anthropomorphized yellow bear that spent half his life with his head, or his hand, stuck in a jar of honey... so just think about it for a second. It's not all they get, it's just a nice treat for them, and it's also a dirt-cheap way for the park to make a little extra money. It's not intended to be harmful or exploitative. No one I have ever read about, or interacted with, from MarineLand seemed to be out to get the animals. I have a hard time understanding why so many people are so wound-up about tearing the whole thing down.

Do we really have to shut-down and abandon everything we used to enjoy?
Does everything have to be a horror story these days ?
Is there truly no opportunity here to improve instead of remove ?

   I am of quite another opinion; we should all be working to raise these facilities up! The facilities should always be improving and expanding. The animals should be ever more revered. And, we should be planning now for making the best use of the unique opportunities they both present, well into the next 50 years, and beyond. If we give it all up at this time, over misplaced outrage, the costs to restore them from scratch, when we might again appreciate their value, will probably be too significant to allow it to happen. We might lose them forever. With some certainty, we can assume that nothing will be cheaper in the future.

   The choice is really ours. All of ours. Vote with your dollars and your time. Do we want MarineLand to be a place everyone loves again, or just another broken down relic of how good things used to be ? Personally, I'm looking forward to reliving some happy childhood memories, and getting cooled-off by the splashing waters again this summer. I'd recommend you consider doing the same. Sentiment isn't science, after all. But if you're not that scientific anyway, why not just let love reign for a few more seasons and see where that gets us instead ? We are all capable of more than hate, though it sometimes requires that we take a step back and have some consideration -even for views or ideas we don't necessarily understand or embrace at the time.

Love is not a free pass, but it is a promise to hold the line, to not turn our backs or give-up at the first sign of trouble. To work towards mutually beneficial improvements in good faith. At least, that's part of what love is about to me. And I, for one, still love MarineLand.

 

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Extras & Sources

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MarineLand TV Commercial

Theme of evil ? I don't think so. We should allow a little more love.

Bibliographic (Information and Sources Throughout):

-All non-credited images are sourced from cc open-source retrieval, wikipedia, etc. or MarineLand online. www.twitter.com/MarinelandCan/media

-Fragile Oasis Prize image from www.fragileoasis.org

-Source for information about the OSPCA budgets and financial holdings is from their most recent public filings, retrieved online. Available through their website here: www.ontariospca.ca/

-All copy-written works are the property of holders. This electronic, blogged composition meant to comply with cc fair use for education where applicable. For any issues please contact the author for correction/removal.

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I am happy to clarify or explain anything mentioned herein. Please contact me @dennizenx on twitter, here in the comments, or via email for any questions, or if you would like to see any source material for this article that is not already mentioned. 

Some inspiration for this article brought to you by The Bible ! 

Genesis 1:26 - (...) and let them have a likeness unto the Lord, that they should be good stewards over all the fishes of the sea, the birds of the sky, over the livestock, and all the wild animals, and every creature that moves on, or in, the Earth.

~dxt