CFIA investigates deer removals at Marineland

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating how deer are being removed from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, as the closed amusement park prepares to clear all animals from the property before a planned sale. According to sources, Marineland has spent months trying to relocate hundreds of deer, elk and other land animals. Some animals have already been moved, while others were part of proposed transfers to private buyers, a small business in northern Ontario, and accredited facilities. One proposed recipient, an antler jewelry business near Timmins, says it spent more than $100,000 building an enclosure for about 150 red deer before the arrangement changed. The business owner says the shift left her disappointed after months of planning and spending. Marineland says a family friend with animalbusiness ties took responsibility for moving the deer and that it believed the necessary regulatory steps were being followed. The CFIA said it is reviewing whether all rules for moving cervid species were met, and it has not disclosed further details.