Amusement Park Charged After 'World's Loneliest Killer Whale' Seen Banging Its Head Against Tank

A Canadian theme park is facing criminal charges for allegedly using dolphins and whales for entertainment without a proper license. The action came after videos emerged online showing the "world's loneliest killer whale" banging its head against a wall and belugas swimming in small enclosures.

Police started an investigation against Ontario-based Marineland in October based on allegations that the park used captive marine mammals for public entertainment. Mario Lagrotteria, Niagara Falls district commander of police, said the park was charged with criminal code violation after officers found several videos of the animals being used for entertainment purposes without proper authorization.

"The information [investigators] received substantiated the allegation that this did happen within the month of August," Lagrotteria told CBC.

A U.S.-based non-profit, Last Chance for Animals, filed a complaint against Marineland in September. The same month, anti-captivity activist Phil Demers, who used to work at the park, released a video of the park's last surviving orca, named Kiska, banging its head against the wall of its enclosure. Kiska was captured off the coast of Iceland in 1979.

Miranda Desa, the non-profit's Canadian counsel, said the complaint focused on how belugas were made to do tricks for food in front of park attendees. Other marine animals in the park were also made to do similar tricks for entertainment.

Even though Marineland has been charged under the criminal code for using marine animals for entertainment without authorization, the future of Kiska and other animals in the park remains unclear.

"We're calling on the provincial and federal governments to get involved in this situation and do what they can to make sure these animals go to a sanctuary, if Marineland is sold," Camille Labchuk, executive director of the nonprofit Animal Justice, told Global News.

Marineland claimed the performances were "educational" and that the park was committed to providing "world-class care for the animals who call Marineland home."

"Our animal presentation contains marine mammals undertaking behaviors they exhibit in ocean environments. These behaviors are combined with an educational script delivered by Marineland staff, providing a foundation in understanding of these important marine species," the park said in a statement.