Relocation of 30 beluga whales stranded at shuttered Marineland begins
The relocation of the first of dozens of beluga whales remaining at the now-closed Marineland Canada has begun, according to aquariums assisting with the rescue effort.
Marineland Canada, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed in September 2024 following controversy and allegations of animal abuse. CBC reported. 30 beluga whales remain at the facility; their maintenance was financed by donations. But when those donations ran out, caregivers worried that euthanasia might be imminent and asked the Canadian government about it in October 2025. for funds to feed marine mammals.
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Six beluga whales began their journey to their new home on Monday, according to Association of Zoos and Aquariums-approved aquariums that collaborated on the rescue.
Veterinarians evaluate the beluga whales’ suitability for travel before they are loaded into special cold-water containers and transported by truck and plane, the aquariums said. Eric Otjen, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Diego, told ABC News that the beluga whales, ranging in age from 6 to 40, received “top-notch care” and were all in good condition.
Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium, via Reuters – PHOTO: A cargo jet filled with crates containing beluga whales is shown at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on July 20, 2026.
Heidi Zeiger/Shedd Aquarium, via Reuters – PHOTO: A member of the relocation team touches a beluga whale, one of the first six groups to be transplanted to aquariums in the U.S. following its move to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on July 21, 2026.
The tanks, which Otjen said were large enough to allow giant beluga whales, some up to 16 feet long, to swim, were loaded onto a Qatar Airways Boeing 777.
By Tuesday, all beluga whales had arrived safely at their new homes at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and SeaWorld San Antonio, the aquariums said. Both already host multi-generational pods of beluga whales, the aquariums said.
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The belugas were accompanied by aquatic medicine experts, veterinarians and keepers throughout the journey. Otjen said beluga whales were never alone throughout the process. Aquariums said keepers often attend to beluga whales in tanks:
“Their safety and well-being is our top priority,” Otjen said.
Georgia Aquarium, via Reuters – PHOTO: Four beluga whales, among the first six groups to be transferred to aquariums in the U.S., swim in a pool at the closed Marineland Canada marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on July 20, 2026.
Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium, via Reuters – PHOTO: Members of the relocation team use a sling to transport a beluga whale, one of the first six groups to be relocated to aquariums in the United States, at the closed Marineland Canada marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on July 20, 2026.
The hours and days after the beluga whales’ arrival are among the most critical, Otjen said.
Karisa Tang, Shedd Aquarium’s chief veterinarian and vice president of animal health, said in a statement that teams will look for behaviors such as foraging, exploring, eating and socializing that indicate belugas are doing well.
“This moment marks a new beginning for the rescued belugas,” Tang said. “Now that they are here, the full attention of our care and veterinary teams is on getting to know these whales and providing whatever additional support, treatment and care we can to help them adjust to their new homes.” he said.
Daphne Lemelin/AFP via Getty Images – PHOTO: A Marineland poster at the park’s now-closed entrance is seen through a fence on November 13, 2025 in Niagara Falls, Canada.
In addition to Shedd Aquarium and SeaWorld San Antonio, an additional 24 beluga whales will be sent to Otjen in the coming months to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, SeaWorld San Diego, and Oceanografic Valencia, Otjen, in Spain. Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut is also assisting with rescue efforts.
The consortium of aquariums spent much of the early part of the year preparing a plan to safely rescue the beluga whales, at the request of Marineland and approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Daphne Lemelin/AFP via Getty Images – PHOTO: This aerial view shows a variety of beluga whales still held in captivity at the now-closed Artic Cove exhibit at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada, on November 13, 2025.
Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a permit to aquariums. emergency rescue permit To save the beluga whales stranded in Marineland.
The order of relocation is determined by subpods formed around pre-existing relationships between the animals, allowing tethered beluga whales to move together, their keepers said.
“As we learned more about whales, our plans naturally evolved and we landed with a plan that gives each beluga whale the best opportunity to thrive,” Chris Dodd, SeaWorld’s chief of zoological operations, said in a statement.
