Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has reported the unfortunate deaths of two beluga whales after receiving 10 belugas from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. One whale named Rain arrived from Marineland in mid-August, while the other, Beethoven, was already a resident at Shedd. This relocation effort involved the transfer of 30 belugas and four dolphins to five different destinations, coordinated by Marineland, Shedd, and several other aquariums.
Tragically, another beluga from Marineland, Peekachu, died last week due to severe dehydration. Despite immediate rescue efforts by Shedd, the two recent deaths of Rain and Beethoven occurred on Wednesday afternoon. The aquarium is conducting tests and necropsies to determine the cause of their deaths.
Shedd expressed sorrow over the losses and mentioned the challenges in obtaining definitive answers regarding the whales’ passing. Marineland also expressed deep sadness over Rain’s death, emphasizing their support for the trainers and staff who cared for the beluga.
Following the ban on keeping whales and dolphins in captivity in Canada in 2019, Marineland, the last facility with captive marine mammals in the country, is now up for sale. Sources suggest that a deal for the land is imminent, contingent on the removal of the animals. The park, closed to the public since 2024, faced financial difficulties, prompting the need to relocate its remaining animals.
The federal government intervened in Marineland’s plan to send the whales to China, leading to the collaboration with international aquariums for the relocation. The belugas and dolphins have been moved to various facilities, including Shedd Aquarium, SeaWorld locations, Georgia Aquarium, and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.
The recent deaths at Shedd Aquarium highlight the challenges faced by captive marine mammals during relocation efforts and the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of keeping such animals in captivity.