A beluga whale, part of the group relocated from the closed Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ont., has passed away, marking the third death in the cohort. The Oceanogràfic de València confirmed the sudden death of Jelly Bean, less than a month after her arrival in Spain.
Jelly Bean, alongside another beluga named Cleopatra, and four dolphins, were transferred to the facility on Aug. 27 as part of an international rescue mission. The news release stated that Jelly Bean had been experiencing feeding issues recently, leading to intensified monitoring by the veterinary team. Despite showing signs of improvement and responsiveness to caregivers, Jelly Bean’s condition deteriorated, resulting in her untimely death.
Oceanogràfic announced that a necropsy would be conducted by their veterinarians in collaboration with pathologists to determine the cause of Jelly Bean’s passing. While Cleopatra and the four dolphins are reported to be in good health, the unfortunate loss of Jelly Bean adds to the previous deaths of Peekachu, Rain, and Beethoven after their relocation.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson expressed her sadness over Jelly Bean’s demise, acknowledging the steps taken by the Canadian government to ensure the safe transfer of the whales, including health assessments and permits. Camille Labchuk, from Animal Justice, highlighted the stress associated with transporting marine animals and expressed concerns about the health risks involved.
Marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose also emphasized the challenges and stress faced by belugas during transportation, describing the experience as alien and potentially harmful. Despite the best efforts of the rescue teams, the loss of Jelly Bean underscores the complexities of caring for these animals following their relocation.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the belugas have raised questions about the planning and execution of the rescue mission, prompting calls for more transparent health assessments and proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of these magnificent creatures.