The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has reported health concerns with several belugas that were relocated from Marineland in Ontario. The aquarium stated that they are closely monitoring the whales’ well-being around the clock, including their hydration levels, breathing rates, swimming behaviors, social interactions, and other activities.
Recent updates from the aquarium revealed that two out of the three belugas that died within a week of each other were originally from Marineland, a theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. One of the deceased belugas, named Peekachu, passed away on August 25 after being moved to the Shedd Aquarium two weeks prior. Another beluga named Rain, aged 20, also died shortly after being transferred from Marineland, along with a 34-year-old beluga that had resided in Chicago for many years.
The Shedd Aquarium expressed uncertainty about the remaining belugas’ health and is awaiting laboratory results as part of their investigation into the recent deaths. The statement from the aquarium mentioned that while some belugas are showing positive signs, others are experiencing clinical issues, with their conditions fluctuating on a daily and hourly basis.
Belugas primarily obtain hydration from the fish they consume, and while some of the rescued whales are eating regularly, others are not. The aquarium emphasized that none of the belugas are currently at the desired level of health. The belugas from Marineland had been approved for transfer by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson before their relocation.
Marineland, now up for sale, recently conducted the largest simultaneous relocation of captive whales in history, sending 30 belugas and four dolphins to various aquariums in the United States and Spain over the course of several weeks. This move marked the end of whale captivity in Canada, following Marineland’s threat to euthanize the belugas if emergency funding was not secured after a failed attempt to move them to China.
Despite efforts to relocate the whales to new facilities, multiple deaths have occurred post-relocation. In a previous move in 2021, Marineland shifted five whales to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, where two died within a year, with a third succumbing two years later. Mystic Aquarium cited pre-existing conditions, while Marineland claimed the whales were healthy upon departure. Additionally, Marineland experienced the deaths of 19 belugas, one killer whale, and one dolphin between 2019 and 2025.
