The first six beluga whales in a coordinated rescue from the closed Marineland of Canada park have arrived at new homes in the United States. Four were taken to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, while two reached SeaWorld San Antonio.
The whales are part of a group of 30 belugas still living at the Niagara Falls, Ontario, property. The park has been closed to visitors since 2024 and can no longer support their long-term care.
Care teams are monitoring the whales
Shedd Aquarium and SeaWorld San Antonio said their animal-care and veterinary teams are working around the clock as the whales adjust. The six arrived safely, though the organizations described a transfer of this size as difficult and said observations are continuing.
Other planned receiving facilities include Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld San Diego and Oceanogrà fic València in Spain, subject to government approvals. Mystic Aquarium is providing expertise and added capacity for the broader effort.
The first step in a larger move
The transfer follows months of government review and coordination among animal-care teams in Canada and the United States. WTTW reported that the four whales moved to Chicago are female and are being kept together while they settle into Shedd's care.
Sources: the joint rescue announcement carried by Amusement Today and WTTW's reporting from Chicago.
Image credit: Joint Marineland beluga rescue team via Amusement Today.