What the Beluga Euthanasia Controversy Means for Veterinarians

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Remembering Jane Goodall

On October 1, primatologist and conservation activist Jane Goodall passed away at the age of 91. Her work as a staunch advocate of animal rights and conservatism continued right to the end, as she was on a speaking tour at the time of her passing.

Jane Goodall inspired millions around the world, as you can tell by the many tributes posted after her passing, but perhaps no profession was impacted more than ours. So many of us are in the positions we are today because of her.

As the AAHA explained this week, it was Jane Goodall’s pioneering research that transformed scientific understanding of animal behavior and emotions. At a time when the theory of behaviorism dismissed animal minds as mere reactions to stimuli, her work with chimpanzees revealed evidence of emotion, intelligence, and culture. By documenting tool use, social bonds, and grief among chimpanzees, she challenged long-held beliefs about what separates humans from other animals. Her findings profoundly influenced veterinary medicine by advancing recognition of animal sentience, deepening understanding of behavior, and strengthening the scientific foundation for animal welfare.

We also highly recommend this feature on Mongabay that summarizes numerous articles over her lifetime, and includes a recap of her ideas and reflections - including her complex relationship with zoos and technology; her incredible blend of science and unbreakable spirit; and her role as a thought leader.

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Marineland makes waves over belugas

A growing controversy at Marineland in Ontario has put 30 beluga whales at risk of euthanasia after the Canadian government denied the park’s request to export them to a theme park in China. The story first gathered local attention via CBC, CTV, and others before making international headlines.

The government blocked the transfer under a 2019 law prohibiting the use of whales and dolphins for entertainment, citing concerns that the belugas would face continued poor treatment abroad. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said she could not approve an export that would perpetuate the suffering these animals had already endured in captivity. The Marineland location, which has faced years of criticism, financial struggles, and animal welfare investigations, has not been open to the public since 2024, and claimed it could no longer afford proper care for the whales without federal support.

Thankfully, the self-imposed euthanasia deadline has passed, and the whales are still alive. But the situation poses considerable animal rights questions. The government is unwilling to support a move that would ensure the animals face poor conditions and captivity, but Marineland is claiming they are unable to care for them. Animal welfare organizations have condemned Marineland’s response, and argue that Marineland has a moral and legal duty to ensure the animal’s care.

For veterinarians, the Marineland case highlights the growing intersection of animal welfare, ethics, and law. Veterinarians are increasingly being called upon to advocate for humane treatment, develop alternative care strategies for captive marine animals, and provide scientific guidance on rehabilitation or sanctuary placement.

What do you think we should do as vets to promote animal rights in this incredibly difficult situation? Reply to this email and let us know.

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Raw Reality Check:
New analysis flags bacterial risks in cat raw diets

The FDA issued a new advisory last week urging owners not to feed two lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products (BioLogics All‑Natural & Grain‑Free Beef Recipe for Dogs) after agency testing detected Listeria monocytogenes in one lot and both L. monocytogenes and Salmonella in another. The products are sold online via subscription in frozen 2 pound packs. The FDA says it recommended a recall, and the company notified customers about Listeria but, according to the FDA, did not mention the Salmonella.

Why this matters for practice: beyond the clear animal‑health risk, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes are classic zoonotic boomerangs—patients, owners, and clinic teams can all be exposed by handling and cross‑contamination. If clients ask, steer them to the advisory with lots of details, review safe‑handling (separate, sanitize, chill), and consider culturing/empiric therapy for symptomatic pets with exposure. We also recommend flagging that toddlers and immunocompromised adults should avoid raw pet foods altogether. For clinics, refresh your in‑house biosecurity around raw‑fed patients (exam surfaces, scales, and technicians’ hands see everything). dvm360’s quick brief has a clean summary to share on social.

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Quick Hits

Here are some of the other stories that caught our eye and we're following this week from around the veterinary world and animal kingdom: