Six beluga whales previously at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., were transported to different locations, with four females safely reaching the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. These four females will be joining four other belugas that were transferred from Marineland in July during the first round of whale relocations.
Specialized workers at Marineland guided the belugas into custom slings before placing them in tanks. The whales were later taken to Toronto’s Pearson airport, where two males were flown to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, while the females were transported to Chicago.
The female belugas are now residing in Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium, where they will be kept away from visitors as they adjust to their new environment. The aquarium’s director of animal behavior and training mentioned that the transition process will be gradual, allowing the staff to observe and understand each whale’s behavior and progress.
The newly arrived belugas, including Caspian, Peekachu, Rain, and Secord, have unique characteristics and personalities. They will soon reunite with the other four belugas from Marineland, with whom they share important social connections.
Shedd’s animal care team will closely monitor the belugas’ well-being, including their food intake and breathing patterns. The aquarium plans to rescue up to two more belugas from Marineland in the future.
Marineland, which closed to the public in 2024, faced financial challenges and could no longer care for the whales. Prior to the recent transfers, the park had 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive marine mammals in Canada.
The complex relocation operation, considered essential for the whales’ survival, involved multiple transfers to various aquariums in the United States. The park’s initial plan to sell the belugas to a Chinese aquarium was blocked, leading to the current rescue efforts orchestrated with the help of American and Spanish aquariums.
If the remaining belugas are not relocated, Marineland has stated that euthanasia is a possibility. The park aims to have all the whales relocated by the end of the month. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson expressed gratitude to the organizations and individuals involved in the successful whale relocations.