Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson earlier this week denied Marineland’s request to export 30 belugas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, an aquarium in China. Thompson said then the decision is consistent with a 2019 law making it illegal to use whales and dolphins in entertainment shows or keep them in captivity.

It’s sad to think that euthanizing them may be the most humane option. But sending them to a new place in China, where they would be in entertainment shows, and bred to continue the captivity of future generations has it’s own ethical dilemma.

Why not just release them to the wild and let them give it a shot? They trust humans too much and just get hunted? Throw off the ecosystem?