Four out of the six beluga whales that were transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Wednesday have safely arrived at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on Thursday morning. These four female belugas will be joining four others that were moved to the aquarium from Marineland in July during the initial phase of the transfers.
At Marineland, a team of specialized workers carefully guided the six belugas into a custom sling one by one before lifting them into tanks on Wednesday. The whales were then escorted by police to Toronto’s Pearson airport. The two male belugas were flown to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, while the female belugas were transported to Chicago.
Upon arrival, the female belugas were placed in Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium, a massive tank, where they will remain hidden from guests as they adjust to their new environment, as stated in a news release by the aquarium on Thursday. The director of animal behavior and training, Charlie Jacobsma, mentioned that the transition process is being handled gradually, focusing on the whales’ pace. Continuous observations are being made to understand each beluga’s personality and progress during this period.
The new beluga arrivals include Caspian, a 27-year-old beluga known for his vibrant personality; Peekachu, a 23-year-old energetic and confident beluga with a non-functioning right eye; Rain, a 20-year-old beluga with a distinctive forehead; and Secord, a 22-year-old beluga recognized for her long upper jaw and playful behavior with enrichment items.
These new belugas will soon reunite with the other four belugas from Marineland, namely Acadia, Osiris, Sierra, and Lillooet, with whom they share significant social connections, according to Shedd. Belugas are known to thrive in large groups, closely interacting while swimming, hunting, and socializing. Having familiar companions nearby helps boost the confidence of new arrivals as they adapt to their new home, explore the surroundings, and bond with caretakers.
The animal care team at Shedd will monitor the eight belugas continuously, keeping track of their food intake and breathing patterns. Early reports indicate that the transition is progressing well, Shedd confirmed. The aquarium has committed to rescuing up to two more beluga whales from Marineland.
Marineland ceased public operations in 2024 and is currently up for sale, citing financial difficulties and inability to care for the whales. Before the recent transfers, Marineland housed a total of 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive marine mammals in Canada. The ongoing transfers are seen as crucial for the survival of these belugas, according to Marineland.
Following a failed attempt to sell the belugas to a Chinese aquarium, Marineland threatened to euthanize the whales without emergency funding from the government, sparking international backlash. Subsequently, a deal was reached with a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums, facilitating the ongoing relocation efforts. SeaWorld in San Diego and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain are also expected to receive some of Marineland’s marine mammals.
If the remaining belugas and dolphins are not relocated, Marineland has stated that euthanasia is a possibility. After the recent transfer, there are still 11 belugas and four dolphins left at Marineland, with plans to have all the whales relocated by the end of the month.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson commended the successful transfer of another group of belugas to Shedd Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium, acknowledging the efforts of various organizations and facilities involved in the rescue operation.