Marineland drops $1.5M lawsuit against former employee and agrees to rehouse walruses

 After a decade-long legal battle, former Marineland trainer Philip Demers was able to see his beloved walrus Smooshi this week, after the Niagara Falls, Ont., tourist attraction dropped a $1.5-million lawsuit against its former employee.

Demers, the animal rights activist and whistleblower, is still banned from Marineland, but was allowed inside the park Wednesday for a reunion with Smooshi — the first time he had seen her in a decade, he said — after news emerged that the legal issues were resolved.

The lawsuit, filed in 2013 by Marineland, alleged Demers trespassed and plotted to steal the 800-pound walrus. Demers filed a counterclaim, also in 2013, for defamation and abuse of process, he told CBC Hamilton. 

After several weeks of negotiations, both sides have dropped legal action and, as part of the mutual agreement, Smooshi and her calf Koyuk will be rehoused as soon as "reasonably possible" where "they can join other walruses."

In a news release issued Wednesday, Marineland said "litigation between Marineland … and Phil Demers has been resolved amicably... Mr Demers acknowledges Marineland's evolution towards education, conservation and research, and its commitment to enhanced animal care."

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