The federal government is punting responsibility for 30 whales at Marinelane back to Ontario, as a deadline from the struggling theme park over the fate of the belugas rapidly draws closer.

On Friday, Marineland warned that without an immediate financial bailout from the federal government, “for ongoing whale care until a suitable relocation can be arranged,” the company may be forced to declare bankruptcy or euthanize the animals.

“Our only options at this point are to either relocate the whales or face the devastating decision of euthanasia,” the Niagara Falls, Ont., attraction said in a letter to the federal government, which was shared with Global News.

On Monday, Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson called Marineland’s request for federal funding “inappropriate” and said sh

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