Four of the six beluga whales that were moved from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Wednesday have safely arrived at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The four female belugas will soon be joining four other belugas that were transferred to the aquarium in July from Marineland.
A specialized team at the closed tourist spot in Niagara guided the six belugas one by one into a custom sling 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.
The female belugas are now settling into the Abbott Oceanarium at Shedd, away from public view, as they adapt to their new environment. Charlie Jacobsma, the director of animal behavior and training, emphasized the importance of taking the transition process slowly to accommodate the whales’ pace.
The new arrivals at Shedd include Caspian, a 27-year-old beluga with a 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 known for her long upper jaw and playful behavior with enrichment items.
These belugas will soon be reunited with the other four belugas from Marineland at Shedd, forming crucial social bonds. Shedd’s animal care team is closely monitoring the eight belugas, ensuring they are eating well and surfacing regularly to breathe. Initial reports suggest that the belugas are adjusting positively to their new surroundings.
Shedd has expressed its commitment to rescuing up to two more belugas from Marineland, which closed its doors to the public in 2024 due to financial constraints. Before the recent transfers, Marineland housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive marine mammals in Canada.
The ongoing transfers of belugas to various aquariums in the United States are deemed crucial for the whales’ survival. Marineland’s previous attempt to sell the belugas to a Chinese aquarium was blocked by the fisheries minister, leading to alternative arrangements with American and Spanish aquariums.
SeaWorld in San Diego and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain are also expected to receive some of Marineland’s belugas and dolphins. If the remaining belugas and dolphins at Marineland are not relocated, the park has indicated they may have to be euthanized.
Following the recent move, 11 belugas and four dolphins are still at Marineland, with plans to relocate all the marine mammals by the end of the month. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson commended the collaborative efforts of various organizations and facilities involved in the beluga rescues.