Marineland Belugas Facing Health Crisis After U.S. Transfer

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago reports that several beluga whales transferred from the now-closed Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ont., are suffering from health issues. According to reporting from CityNews Toronto and Global News Toronto, the aquarium is currently providing round-the-clock supervision to monitor the animals' social interactions, breathing rates, swim patterns, and hydration.

Shedd Aquarium confirmed that two of the three whales that died at its facility within a single week were former Marineland residents. One beluga, named Peekachu, died Aug. 25, two weeks after relocation. Rain, a 20-year-old beluga, was also among the deceased. A third whale that died was a 34-year-old beluga that had been at the Chicago site for decades.

Shedd stated that none of the rescued belugas are currently where the aquarium wants them to be from a health standpoint, noting that some are not eating regularly. The aquarium is awaiting lab results as it investigates the deaths.

These health concerns emerge despite the whales being given a clean bill of health prior to relocation, an approval granted by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson. Marineland recently completed the largest collective move of captive whales in history, transporting 30 belugas and four dolphins to five aquariums in Spain and the U.S. The final transfer, which included a whale named Tofino, ended whale captivity in Canada.

This is not the first instance of post-transfer mortality. CityNews Toronto reports that of five whales moved from Marineland to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut in 2021, two died within a year and a third died two years later. While Mystic Aquarium cited pre-existing conditions, Marineland maintained the animals were healthy upon departure. Between 2019 and 2025, 19 belugas, one dolphin, and one killer whale died at Marineland.