Six beluga whales from Marineland in Canada arrive in the US, last of 30 rescued from closed park

The unprecedented rescue of 30 beluga whales from Marineland, a closed park in Niagara Falls, Canada that could no longer care for them, is now complete with the safe arrival of the final six whales to the United States.

In addition to the 30 beluga whales, four Black Sea dolphins were also rescued from Marineland.

The backstory:

The 30 whales and four dolphins were living at Marineland, which was having financial issues.  In 2023, Marineland announced it was for sale, and in late summer 2024 closed to the public.  

Last fall, Marineland asked the Canadian government for emergency funding to feed and care for the whales, warning that euthanasia may be necessary without financial support. Marineland also requested permission to export the whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, an aquarium in China.  The request was denied by Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson who said the denial is consistent with a 2019 law making it illegal to use whales and dolphins in entertainment shows or keep them in captivity.

In July, the U.S. federal government approved the rescue of the 30 whales, with 28 moving to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas and the other two to Oceanogràfic Valéncia in Spain, along with four dolphins. 

An unprecedented rescue operation to move the whales and dolphins 

The rescue of the animals was a monumental undertaking, with SeaWorld, the Georgia Aquarium, the Shedd Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, and Oceanogràfic Valencia working together to safely transport the animals from Canada to California, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Spain.

Timeline:

Transports of the whales began in July and took place over a six-week timeframe, involving both ground and air travel in three countries and logistics coordinated by Intradco Global, an equine, livestock and exotics transportation air charter company. 

SeaWorld says the animals were moved in a particular order and in specific groups or "sub pods," because of their pre-existing social bonds, providing the animals with some confidence and comfort as they moved to new spaces and new care teams.   

What they're saying:

"The rescue plan we developed was focused on animal wellbeing in every way. We were constantly asking ourselves — how can we make this significant transition as safe as possible and give the animals involved the best chance to thrive? We believe the plan we delivered accomplished exactly that," said Eric Gaglione, vice president of zoological operations at Georgia Aquarium, in a release.  

The rescue plan involved each animal being fitted into specialized, custom stretchers and then  lifted by a crane out of their habitat and into individual, water-filled transport units. SeaWorld says caretakers traveled with the animals on their entire journey.

SeaWorld San Antonio welcomes 13 whales 

From Canada to Texas. Over the course of the rescue, SeaWorld San Antonio welcomed a total of 13 whales.

Six male whales — Bertie Botts, 6, Frankie, 13, Odin, 7, Orion, 27, Tank, 14, Tofino, 24, are now calling Sea Word San Antonio home, along with six females: Calypso, 7, Eve, 17, Gemini, 31, Meeka, 20, Neva, 16, Sklya, 23, and Xena who is 32.

Shedd Aquarium welcomes 10 whales

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago welcomed 10 whales. 

In July, four female beluga whales — Acadia, 23, Osiris  25, Sierra, 24, and Lillooet 20, arrived at the facility. 

In August,  four other female beluga whales — Caspian,  27, Rain, 20, Secord, 22, and 23-year-old Peekachu—arrived.   Gimli, 7, and Yukon, 8, arrived in Chicago in late August.

Sadly, Peekachu died suddenly a few days after arriving. The Shedd Aquarium said she was one of the smaller whales and was blind in one eye, but had little trouble navigating her new habitat or socializing with the other whales. 

In the days after her arrival, the aquarium said Peekachu ate squid, herring and capelin from caretakers and explored her surroundings. Shedd said she also checked out members of the care team through underwater windows as they monitored the whales. 

Officials at the Shedd Aquarium said blood work showed Peekachu was dehydrated, and her care team attempted to provide supportive care and fluids before she died. The aquarium says they are waiting on results from a necropsy to determine what led to her sudden death.

SeaWorld San Diego welcomes three whales

Three male beluga whales journeyed from Canada to southern California and are now calling  SeaWorld San Diego home.

Xavier, 13, Cyprus, 9, and Jasper, 9, were kept together because of their social bond, much like the other whales that have been relocated in groups, and will continue to adjust to their new home behind the scenes before meeting SeaWorld San Diego's other beluga whales. 

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta welcomes two whales

In August, the Georgia Aquarium welcomed two male beluga whales, Balor, 10, and Zephyr, 7, to their facility.

Oceanogràfic València in Spain welcomes two whales and four dolphins 

Last month, Oceanogràfic València in Spain welcomed two beluga whales and four dolphins.

The whales and dolphins are getting used to their new habitat

SeaWorld says the rescued whales and dolphins will continue to acclimate to their new surroundings and all the aquariums will stay connected to and share insights with one another on how the animals are doing.

"Our collaboration does not end simply because the animals have all arrived safely," said Dr. Daniel García-Párraga, director of zoological operations at Oceanografic Valencia in a release. "Our care teams and the animals benefit from the fact that we are a network that is in constant conversation, sharing tips and knowledge that improves our care." 

It’s expected to take several months before the rescues are fully settled into their new surroundings. 

 

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