The Ontario government says it plans to beef up regulations to protect animals kept in zoos and aquariums, including Marineland.

Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur made the announcement in a statement this morning ahead of a noon news conference.

She says the province will work with animal experts and other stakeholders to come up with standards for caring for captive animals.

That entails strengthening the existing Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act as well as introducing new rules that apply to marine animals.

She says regulators will also look at licensing the province's more than 60 zoos and aquariums.

The move comes under mounting pressure from animal-welfare activists _ including former Marineland staff _ who allege animals at the amusement park aren't being looked after properly.

In the written statement Mielleur says, "There is no place in our province for thos who abuse animals. 
Our goal is to make sure all animals can live free of abuse and neglect."