Video taken on Aug. 13, 2026, shows the second round of relocation efforts for 30 beluga whales left at Marineland Canada, which closed in 2024. Twenty-eight of the whales are staying in the U.S. at four different aquariums while two of the whales went to an aquarium in Spain.
Nearly two years after a closed marine animal park in Canada closed for good in 2024, rescue efforts for 30 beluga whales at the shuttered park have begun to relocate the whales to new homes.
Relocation efforts began in July after Marineland Canada was unable to support the whales in their current habitat.
BELUGA WHALE PEEKACHU DIES WEEKS AFTER RESCUE FROM SHUTTERED CANADIAN MARINE PARK
A combined effort by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and NOAA Fisheries and the different aquariums involved made the relocation project possible.
The 30 beluga whale left at a closed marine park in Canada are being relocated to 5 different aquariums. Four of the aquariums are in the U.S., while one is in Spain.
So far, at least 22 of the beluga whales have arrived at their new aquarium homes.
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Learn where the whales are headed:
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas has plans to accept 13 of the 30 beluga whales at Marineland Canada.
So far, at least nine of the whales have been successfully relocated and are settling into their habitats at SeaWorld San Antonio. They are not currently on public display while they adjust to their new homes.
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Seven of the beluga whales in SeaWorld San Antonio’s care are females, and two are males.
Thirteen of the whales are being relocated to SeaWorld San Antonio.
(FOX Weather)
The arrival of the remaining whales, all males, has not been announced.
The youngest of the 13 whales coming to San Antonio is 6 years old, while the oldest is estimated to be 32.
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Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has plans to receive 10 whales: eight females and two males.
They received four of the females in early July and the last four in mid-August.
On Wednesday, Shedd Aquarium announced the death of Peekachu, a 23-year-old whale that came with the second group of four females that arrived earlier in the month.
Ten of the beluga whales are being taken to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
(FOX Weather)
“Peekachu was unique. She was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales. Despite what could have been a limitation, Peekachu had little trouble socializing and finding her way around a new habitat,” Shedd Aquarium said in a news release announcing her death.
The aquarium said blood taken from Peekachu prior to her death led them to be concerned about dehydration. As they worked to get her healthy, she died.
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One of the beluga whales as it arrives in Chicago at Shedd Aquarium.
(Shedd Aquarium and Gavin Wright / FOX Weather)
“Losing any animal is immensely difficult,” Shedd Aquarium said. “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.”
The two remaining beluga whales will be relocated based on the whales’ needs and when it’s best for them, Shedd Aquarium said.
SeaWorld San Diego
Three of the beluga whales were transported to SeaWorld San Diego in California.
All three whales are males, ranging in age from 9 to 13 years old.
Three of the beluga whales went to SeaWorld San Diego.
(FOX Weather)
Xavier, Cyprus and Jasper made the journey together because of their social bond, much like the other whales that have been relocated in groups, and will continue to adjust to their new home behind the scenes before meeting SeaWorld San Diego’s other beluga whales.
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Oceanogràfic València in Spain
Oceanogràfic València is the only non-U.S. aquarium to receive belugas from Marineland Canada.
Two beluga whales and four dolphins from Marineland Canada arrived at Oceanogràfic València on Wednesday.
Two of the whales were taken to oceanogràfic valència.
(FOX Weather)
“Behind this operation are months of preparation and joint work by veterinarians, caretakers, specialists, aquariums and institutions from Canada, the United States and Spain, with the support of the Generalitat Valenciana,” the aquarium said.
The whales and dolphins will continue to settle in at the aquarium over the next few weeks.
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta
Georgia Aquarium acquired two of the beluga whales from Marineland Canada in mid-August.
The two male beluga whales, Balor and Zephyr, are 10 and 7 years old, respectively.
Two of the beluga whales were transported to Georgia Aquarium.
(FOX Weather)
Balor and Zephyr joined Georgia’s Aquarium’s all-female beluga whale pod after the team determined they were well-adjusted and healthy enough to do so.
One of Georgia Aquarium’s beluga whales was transported to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut in order to make room for the two Marineland Canada beluga whales.
