MarineLand has agreed to relocate two of its walruses that were at the center of a lawsuit between Niagara Falls, Ontario tourist attraction and activist Phil Demers.
MarineLand said in a statement Wednesday that the lawsuit and counterclaims between the two parties have been “amicably resolved.”
The tourist attraction launched a legal battle against Demers, a former park employee and mammal trainer, in 2012, alleging he threatened MarineLand employees and broke and entered. Demers denied the complaint and filed a countersuit for defamation.
The activist had fought for the release of Smooshi the walrus and an orca named Kisko.
“Mr. Demers recognizes MarineLand’s evolution toward education, conservation and research, and its commitment to improving animal care,” the water park said in a statement. MarineLand and Mr. Demers agree that relocating the two walruses to MarineLand where they can join other walruses is in the best interest of the walruses.
“Walruses are being rehomed as soon as reasonably possible,” the park said.
Demers acknowledged the end of the legal battle on Tuesday, celebrating the deal to free the walruses.
“MarineLand Canada has dropped its decade-long lawsuit against me. We have resolved our issues and settled the cases at no cost,” the activist tweeted. Smooshi the walrus and his offspring Koyuk will be relocated as soon as possible. Details and statement to come.”
MarineLand’s legal battles are far from over, however, as the water park faces two investigations into the alleged use of its captive marine mammals “for entertainment purposes”. MarineLand is facing an animal cruelty charge.
The park has denied all allegations of animal cruelty, saying their mammal shows are “educational in nature”.