Four out of the six beluga whales that were transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Wednesday safely reached the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on Thursday morning. The quartet of female belugas will soon be integrated with four others that were relocated to the aquarium from Marineland in July during the initial phase of the whale transfers.
A specialized team at the closed tourist spot in Niagara carefully guided the six belugas into a custom sling one by one before lifting them into tanks on Wednesday. Subsequently, the whales were accompanied by law enforcement 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 currently housed in Shedd’s 11.3-million-liter Abbott Oceanarium, where they are shielded from public view as they acclimate to their new environment, as stated in a news release by the aquarium on Thursday. Charlie Jacobsma, the director of animal behavior and training, emphasized the importance of a gradual transition for the whales, focusing on monitoring their individual personalities and progress closely.
Among the new arrivals are 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 elongated upper jaw and enthusiasm for interacting with enrichment items.
The four newly arrived belugas will soon be reunited with the other four belugas from Marineland — Acadia, Osiris, Sierra, and Lillooet — with whom they share significant social connections, according to Shedd. Jacobsma highlighted the importance of these social bonds, explaining that belugas often thrive in close-knit groups where they swim, hunt, and socialize together, taking cues from one another to navigate new environments and interact with caretakers.
Shedd’s animal care team is vigilantly monitoring the eight belugas, tracking their food consumption and breathing patterns. Early assessments indicate that the transition process is progressing well, according to Shedd.
Shedd has committed to rescuing up to two more belugas from Marineland, which ceased public operations in 2024 and is currently up for sale due to financial constraints. Prior to the recent transfers, Marineland housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive marine mammals in Canada. The ongoing relocation efforts, which Marineland has described as “unprecedented,” are crucial for the whales’ survival.
If the remaining belugas are not relocated, Marineland has threatened to euthanize them. Following the recent transfer, 11 belugas and four dolphins are still at the facility, with Marineland aiming to complete the relocation process by the end of the month.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson commended the successful transfer of the belugas to Shedd Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of various organizations and facilities involved in the rescue mission.