Four beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, were successfully transported to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago after being guided into a custom sling and then flown from Toronto’s Pearson airport. The whales, which include four females, will be kept away from public view as they acclimate to their new environment at the aquarium. The director of animal behavior and training at Shedd emphasized the importance of allowing the whales to adjust at their own pace.
The new arrivals at the Shedd Aquarium include Caspian, Peekachu, Rain, and Secord, each with unique characteristics. They will soon be reunited with four other belugas from Marineland with whom they share strong social bonds. The aquarium’s animal care team will closely monitor the whales’ well-being and behavior, ensuring they adapt well to their new home.
Shedd Aquarium is committed to rescuing up to two more belugas from Marineland, which recently closed its doors due to financial constraints. The park had previously transferred several belugas to other facilities in the United States, as part of a complex and unprecedented operation aimed at ensuring the whales’ survival.
The Fisheries Minister acknowledged the successful relocation of the belugas to the Shedd Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium and expressed gratitude to the organizations and individuals involved in facilitating the rescue operation.