Four beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, were safely transported to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on Thursday. The four female belugas will be joining four other belugas that were transferred to the aquarium in July. The whales were carefully moved into custom slings by a specialized team at Marineland before being transported to their respective destinations. While the females headed to Chicago, the two male belugas were flown to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
Upon arrival at the Shedd Aquarium, the female belugas were settled in the Abbott Oceanarium away from public view to help them adjust to their new environment. The aquarium’s director of animal behavior and training emphasized the importance of allowing the whales to acclimate at their own pace through constant observation.
The new beluga arrivals, including Caspian, Peekachu, Rain, and Secord, are set to be reunited with the other belugas from Marineland with whom they share social bonds. The Shedd Aquarium’s animal care team is closely monitoring the eight whales, ensuring their well-being, food consumption, and breathing patterns.
Shedd Aquarium has expressed its commitment to rescuing up to two more belugas from Marineland, which faced financial challenges and decided to transfer its remaining marine mammals to new facilities in the United States. The complex operation of relocating the belugas is seen as crucial for their survival.
The future of the remaining belugas and dolphins at Marineland remains uncertain, with plans in place to find suitable homes for them. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson commended the collaborative efforts of various organizations in facilitating the safe relocation of the belugas to new aquariums.