Marineland beluga moved to U.S. dies, dolphins and 2 more whales leave Niagara Falls park for Spain

Peekachu, a beluga recently moved out of Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., has died at the Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago facility said Wednesday, the same day two other belugas and four dolphins were being relocated to Spain.

The 23-year-old female, part of a group of eight belugas flown to Shedd two weeks ago, was "unique," the aquarium said, as an ongoing international rescue effort that began a month ago continued.

• More belugas from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., head to new home in U.S.

"She was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales," the blog post said. "Despite what could have been a limitation, Peekachu had little trouble socializing and finding her way around a new habitat."

The post said Peekachu "showed early signs of progress," eating squid, herring and capelin from caretakers, but then wasn't eating well, and a blood test revealed the beluga was dehydrated.

"On Tuesday evening, as teams worked to provide her with medicine and fluids, Peekachu passed away suddenly," it said, adding a necropsy is being conducted.

"From the outset of this rescue, we understood each animal would be navigating a significant transition and that their complete health picture, including conditions that may have developed over time, could only become clearer through ongoing assessment and care."

Marineland said it's saddened by the death, but added the rest of its whales are receiving the best treatment at Shedd.

• 4 of 6 belugas shipped from Marineland arrive safely at Chicago aquarium

In a statement Wednesday, federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said Peekachu's death was "difficult news."

"My thoughts are with the people caring for these animals," Thompson said. "I thank both Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. They stepped in when time was short, and they brought experienced professionals to Marineland quickly to give these animals the best chance at a new chapter in life.”

Animal advocate says some deaths to be expected

The four dolphins (Echo, Lida, Marina and Tsunami) that left Marineland for a new home in Spain are Canada's last captive dolphins, The Canadian Press reported.

Trainers worked over several hours Wednesday morning to load the dolphins and belugas Cleopatra and Jelly Bean into tanks on transport trucks going to Toronto's Pearson International Airport for the journey to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.

The legal advocacy director for Animal Justice, which has been campaigning for years for the mammals at Marineland to be sent to sanctuaries, said it's "devastating, but not surprising" to hear of Peekachu's death.

Kaitlyn Mitchell said the belugas have been unhealthy for a long time, and the trauma of moving them "puts them at really, really serious risk of illness and even death."

Mitchell said three of five Marineland belugas that were exported to the U.S. in 2021 didn't survive, and 19 have died at the Niagara Falls park since 2019.

Instead of what she described as rushing to get the animals off the Marineland site, Mitchell said animal welfare officials could have provided better care and sent the bill to the theme park. The whales could have been moved once they were healthy, she said.

But "they didn't. Everyone watched as these whales got sicker and sicker over time," Mitchell told CBC News on Wednesday. "The minister has issued export permits for all 30 of them, even though many are likely in very compromised states of health."

More belugas set to be moved to U.S.

The six belugas remaining in Marineland — the last captive whales in Canada — are soon set to head to an aquarium in the United States.

A total of 30 belugas and four dolphins were set to be relocated as Marineland moves all of its animals off the property. The park, which is for sale, has said it's running out of money and can no longer afford to care for the animals.

Marineland had originally sold its belugas and dolphins to an aquarium in China, but Ottawa blocked the move, saying it violated the spirit of a 2019 law. That law bans whale and dolphin captivity, and doesn't allow breeding and performances.

After Thompson nixed the move to China, Marineland threatened to euthanize its whales unless Ottawa provided an emergency infusion of cash.

The park then turned to a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums for help. Its belugas have also been shipped to SeaWorld locations in San Diego and San Antonio, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.