Marineland denies neglect allegations

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NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The longtime owner of the Marineland tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, Ontario, denies allegations by former employees marine wildlife is being neglected.

In a feature report, the Toronto Star interviewed eight former employees who have quit the facility owned for the past 51 years by John Holer.

He denied various accusations that seals and dolphins have suffered because of inadequate water management that has left six of the park's seals with vision problems and in one case, blindness. Others reportedly have skin conditions, ex-staff said.

"We take care of the animals -- better than I would take care of myself," Holer told the Star.

Since 2004, four of the private park's orcas, or killer whales, have died, leaving just one now. Holer said nature was simply taking its course.

"You have to understand ... for people and all living things, there is a time to live and a time to die," he said.

The most vocal of the critics is Phil Demers, who resigned from Marineland this spring after 12 years as a senior trainer.

"I realized I was no longer part of the solution -- I was part of the problem," he told the Star. "I can't train animals that are sick and compromised."

The park charges admission of $48.53 for adults and children under the age of 10 $35.95, the report said.

Although Canada borders three oceans, there are no federal regulations on keeping captive sea life.