Beluga whales from closed Canadian park arrive at U.S. aquariums

Six beluga whales, formerly housed at the now-closed Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Canada, have begun their journey to new homes in the United States. The initial group arrived Tuesday at aquariums in Chicago, Illinois, and San Antonio, Texas, marking the first phase of a complex operation to relocate 30 of the cetaceans.

The whales are being distributed among four accredited U.S. zoological facilities and the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain. The U.S. institutions involved include the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and SeaWorld parks in San Antonio and San Diego. The Oceanogràfic in Valencia is awaiting final Spanish government permits to complete its part of the transfer.

These belugas traveled by road and air in specialized cold-water containers, accompanied by dedicated veterinary and care teams. The Shedd Aquarium, which is working around the clock to acclimate its new arrivals, noted it is too early to assess their long-term health. However, initial observations show promising signs, with the whales eating, socializing, and exploring their new habitats.

Marineland, which faced years of criticism over animal welfare conditions, closed its doors in 2024. Canada approved the relocation plan in June, reportedly rejecting a proposal to send the whales to China. The transfer of the remaining belugas will continue in the coming months, contingent on each animal's condition and the necessary approvals.