Federal Agency Probes Deer Situation at Closed Niagara Falls Park
A months-long investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is now focused on more than 300 deer at Marineland, as serious allegations emerge about an animal broker improperly removing hundreds of animals from the famous Niagara Falls attraction, according to sources who spoke with The Canadian Press.
The iconic amusement park, which has been closed to the public since 2024, is currently on the market. Sources indicate that a deal for the property is already in place, but with one crucial condition: all animals must be relocated before the sale can be finalized. This includes not only the deer but also 30 beluga whales and four dolphins still residing at the facility.
Small Business Left in Limbo Over Promised Deer
The situation has left some individuals who were promised animals in a difficult position. Carole Lyne Laramée, who operates Northern Antlers, a small antler jewelry business near Timmins, Ontario, had negotiated with Marineland to receive approximately 150 red deer. She and her husband invested over $100,000 building a specialized enclosure on their property to house the animals, only to face unexpected complications.
The couple had also arranged to adopt three elderly deer named Snuggles, Winnie, and Kay. However, their plans were delayed when Lawrence Laramée suffered a workplace injury last fall, pushing the transfer to spring 2026. Now, questions swirl about the fate of the deer they were promised.
Years of Animal Relocations at the Troubled Park
Since Marie Holer, widow of park founder John Holer, put Marineland up for sale in 2023, the facility has been working to rehome its various animals. The park has already successfully relocated its bears to a Colorado sanctuary in mid-May. However, the deer situation has proven far more complex, with sources indicating that an individual named Mike Hart began appearing at the facility last November, raising concerns among park staff about the proper handling of animal transfers.
