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Rescued Belugas Succumb to Illness at Shedd
4 Nov
Summary
- Two belugas died from heart and liver complications.
- Rescued belugas had depleted fat reserves and muscle loss.
- Four of ten rescued belugas have died since arrival.
Necropsy reports this week detailed the causes of death for two beluga whales, Osiris and Caspian, who were rescued from Canada and brought to Shedd Aquarium. Both females died from chronic heart and liver complications, conditions that were not apparent prior to their rescue from Marineland. The whales also exhibited depleted fat reserves and muscle loss, impacting their ability to recover.
Osiris and Caspian were among ten belugas transferred to Shedd Aquarium in July and August. Tragically, four of these whales have since died. Caspian, who was of "greatest clinical concern" upon arrival in August, passed away in October. Osiris received special treatment for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance before her death. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had previously acknowledged the rescued whales were "health-compromised" and faced euthanasia if not relocated.
Animal welfare advocates have been closely observing the fate of belugas rescued from Marineland worldwide. While six other whales from Marineland are reportedly making progress at Shedd, the aquarium also experienced the death of a longtime resident beluga, Beethoven, in September. The conditions of the rescued whales prior to their extensive journey remain a point of concern for these advocates.
