Four out of the six beluga whales that were moved from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Wednesday have safely reached the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago by Thursday morning. These four female whales will soon be united with four other belugas that were transferred to the aquarium from Marineland in July during the initial whale relocation.
At Marineland, a team of specialized workers carefully guided the six belugas into a custom sling before lifting them into tanks. The whales were then transported by police to Toronto’s Pearson airport. Subsequently, the two male belugas were flown to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, while the female belugas were taken to Chicago.
The female belugas have been placed in Shedd’s 11.3-million litre Abbott Oceanarium, away from the public eye, to allow them to acclimate to their new environment. Director of animal behavior and training, Charlie Jacobsma, emphasized the importance of a gradual transition for the whales, noting that close monitoring and observation are crucial to understanding each whale’s progress and personality.
The new arrivals at Shedd include Caspian, a 27-year-old beluga known for his “big personality”; Peekachu, a 23-year-old energetic and confident whale with a non-functioning right eye; Rain, a 20-year-old beluga with a unique forehead; and Secord, a 22-year-old whale recognized for her long upper jaw and affinity for pushing enrichment items around. These belugas will soon be reunited with the other four whales from Marineland with whom they share significant social bonds.
Shedd’s animal care team is diligently monitoring the eight belugas, tracking their food intake and behavior patterns. Early assessments indicate that the whales are responding well to their new environment, according to Shedd.
The aquarium has committed to rescuing up to two more belugas from Marineland as part of their ongoing efforts. Marineland, which ceased public operations in 2024 and is currently up for sale, cited financial constraints as the reason for transferring the whales.
Prior to the recent transfers, Marineland had 30 belugas and four dolphins—the last captive marine mammals in Canada. The complex relocation operation, described as “unprecedented” by Marineland, aims to ensure the survival of the belugas. If the relocation plans fall through, Marineland has stated that euthanasia may be considered as a last resort.
In response to financial challenges, Marineland had initially planned to sell all 30 belugas to a Chinese aquarium, but the sale was blocked by the fisheries minister. Following this, Marineland threatened to euthanize the whales without emergency funding from the government, prompting international attention. Ultimately, a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums facilitated the current relocation efforts.
In addition to Shedd Aquarium, SeaWorld in San Diego and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain are expected to receive some of Marineland’s remaining marine mammals. If the current relocation process is unsuccessful, euthanasia may be the only alternative for the remaining belugas and dolphins at Marineland.
As of now, 11 belugas and four dolphins are still at Marineland, with plans to relocate all the whales by the end of the month. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson commended the successful relocation of the belugas to Shedd Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of various organizations and facilities involved in the rescue mission.