Four beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., were successfully transported to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on Thursday morning. These four females will be joining four other belugas that were moved to the same aquarium in July as part of a series of transfers.
A team of experts at Marineland guided the belugas into a custom sling before lifting them into tanks on Wednesday. The whales were then taken to Toronto’s Pearson airport, with the males flying to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and the females heading to Chicago.
The female belugas are now settling into the Abbott Oceanarium at Shedd, away from public view, as they acclimate to their new environment. The aquarium’s director of animal behavior and training, Charlie Jacobsma, emphasized the importance of a gradual transition for the whales.
The new arrivals at Shedd include Caspian, a 27-year-old with a vibrant personality; Peekachu, a 23-year-old energetic beluga with a unique eye condition; Rain, a 20-year-old with distinct forehead features; and Secord, a 22-year-old known for her long upper jaw and playful behavior.
These belugas will soon be reunited with the other four from Marineland, with whom they share social bonds. The aquarium’s animal care team is closely monitoring the whales’ well-being, including their feeding habits and behavior.
Shedd has expressed its commitment to rescuing up to two more belugas from Marineland, which has faced financial challenges and is in the process of relocating its marine mammals.
The ongoing transfers of the belugas are seen as crucial for the survival of these animals, with Marineland previously considering euthanasia if emergency funding was not secured. The operation involves partnerships with various aquariums, including SeaWorld and facilities in China and Spain.
Following the recent move, a total of 11 belugas and four dolphins remain at Marineland, with plans to relocate all remaining marine mammals by the end of the month. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson commended the collaborative efforts that led to the successful relocation of the belugas to Shedd and Georgia Aquarium.