A whale of a custody battle

ST. CATHARINES, ONT. - A custody battle involving a star attraction at Marineland is being played out this week  in a St. Catharines courtroom.

A killer whale known as Ikaika has been on loan to Marineland since 2006 under a breeding agreement. Ikaika is owned by SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

The St. Catharines Standard reports that Ikaika was sent to Marineland from Florida for the purposes of "propagation, research, education and public display," while remaining the property of SeaWorld.

However when SeaWorld gave written notice to Marineland of its intention to end the agreement at the end of 2010, Marineland refused to give up possession of the nine-year-old whale.

The judge determined that SeaWorld was entitled to terminate the Breeding Loan Agreement.

The judge  has ordered Marineland to co-operate in any way reasonably necessary to allow the safe and expeditious transport pf the animal from Canada to the United States.

Despite the court ruling, the battle isn't over yet, Marineland has appealed the order.