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 on Thursday morning. These four female belugas will soon be joining 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 guided the six belugas into a custom sling one by one before lifting them into tanks on Wednesday. The whales were then accompanied by police to Toronto’s Pearson airport, where the two male belugas were flown to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, while the female belugas were transported to Chicago.
The female belugas are currently settling into the Abbott Oceanarium at Shedd, away from public view. The director of animal behavior and training, Charlie Jacobsma, mentioned that the transition is significant, and they are proceeding at the whales’ pace to ensure their comfort and adjustment to the new environment.
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 beluga with a non-functioning right eye; Rain, a 20-year-old beluga with a unique 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 be reunited with the other four belugas from Marineland – Acadia, Osiris, Sierra, and Lillooet – with whom they share crucial social connections. Belugas are known to live in close-knit groups, swimming, hunting, and socializing together. Having familiar companions nearby helps boost the confidence of new arrivals as they explore their new habitats and interact with their caretakers.
The animal care team at Shedd will monitor the eight belugas continuously, tracking their food intake and breathing patterns. Early reports suggest that the belugas are adapting well to their new surroundings. Shedd has expressed its commitment to rescuing up to two more belugas from Marineland.
Marineland, which closed to the public in 2024 and is currently up for sale, cited financial constraints as the reason for transferring the whales. Before the recent moves, Marineland housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive cetaceans in Canada. The ongoing relocation operation is crucial for the survival of the belugas.
In response to the relocation efforts, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson commended the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, and the receiving facilities for their dedication in facilitating the safe transfer of the belugas.
If the belugas are not relocated as planned, Marineland has stated that euthanasia is a possible outcome. Following the recent transfer, 11 belugas and four dolphins remain at Marineland, with the park aiming to complete the relocation of all whales by the end of the month.