Warning - This article contains distressing content that may upset some readers
The water park where the 'world's loneliest' killer whale was living has been charged with unauthorised use of animals. You can see one of the whales bashing its head against the tank here:
MarineLand Park, which is situated in Niagara Falls, Ontario, was found to be violating the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act after allegedly using animals for a park performance without permission.
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The Niagara Regional Police (NRPS) said in a statement: "In October of 2021, 2 District (Niagara Falls) detectives commenced an investigation into allegations of the use of captive cetacean at a Niagara Falls theme park (Marineland).
"During the investigation, it was found that dolphins and whales were utilized for entertainment purposes during the month of August, without being authorized to do so following an amendment to the Criminal Code under Bill S-203 on June 21, 2019.
"On Monday December 13, 2021, detectives issued the following charge to the corporation of Marineland:
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"- Use captive cetacean for performance for entertainment purposes without authorization pursuant to a licence contrary to 445.2(4) of the Criminal Code."
The force went on to say that representatives for MarineLand will appear at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse on 14 February 2022 to answer to the charges.
Earlier this year, the park's only orca - called Kiska - was filmed banging her head against the side of the tank.
The footage showing her in clear distress was captured by an anti-captivity activist called Phil Demers.
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He tweeted out the footage with the caption: "This video was taken on Sept 4th, 2021. Anti-captivity activists entered MarineLand and observed Kiska, their last surviving orca bashing her head against the wall. Please watch and share. This cruelty must end. #FreeKiska."
According to Mr Demers, Kiska has been living in captivity since 1979 when she was found off the coast of Iceland.
She has been completely alone in her enclosure since 2011 after all of the other orcas in her tank died, including her five offspring.
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Demers said: "I want to see Kiska taken to an interim facility with other orcas until the Whale Sanctuary Project (in Nova Scotia) is built.
"Visitors can support find the Whale Sanctuary as well as support animal abuse whistleblowers at The Whale Sanctuary Project."
LADbible has reached out to MarineLand for a statement.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy