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Beluga Whales' Great Escape: 30 Rescued from Closed Park
21 Jul
Summary
- 30 beluga whales are being relocated from a closed Canadian marine park.
- Whales are being transported by plane to four US marine parks and one in Spain.
- The rescue effort began after the park could no longer afford to care for the animals.
An international rescue mission has commenced for 30 beluga whales from Marineland, a marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, that ceased operations in 2024. The first six whales embarked on their journey on July 20th, following U.S. approval for their relocation. This significant operation was prompted by Marineland's inability to continue caring for the animals, raising concerns about their potential euthanasia.
Led by a consortium of accredited aquariums, the rescue aims to provide new, safe habitats for the belugas. Four of the initial six whales are destined for the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, while two others will go to SeaWorld in San Antonio. The entire group of 28 belugas will be moved to four U.S. facilities, including aquariums in Atlanta and San Diego, with the remaining two relocating to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain. Veterinarians are conducting health examinations to ensure the whales are fit for travel.
The transfer involves specialized transport containers designed for the animals' comfort and safety, with flights carefully managed to minimize stress. This effort represents a crucial step in ensuring the welfare of these marine mammals after the park's closure. Marineland expressed deep gratitude to all parties involved in making this relocation possible.
