More rescued beluga whales arrive in Texas as relocation effort continues

On Tuesday, SeaWorld San Antonio admitted seven more beluga whales, continuing the international relocation effort from a recently closed Canadian theme park. The group consisted of females named Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva, and Calypso. This transfer marked the largest such relocation ever accomplished in the United States, according to Steve Aibel, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Antonio.

The recent arrivals are being observed in a private habitat, away from public view, while veterinarians assess their health and behavior. Aibel, along with other caretakers, accompanied the 1,200-pound creatures on their trip from Marineland. The journey entailed specialized water-filled transport units, flatbed trucks, and a cargo plane.

The seven belugas joined Frankie and Bertie Botts, who had already completed a nearly 2,000-mile journey from Niagara Falls to San Antonio the previous month. Four additional whales from that transport were relocated to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Two males from this latest transport are adapting to their new surroundings and are gradually introduced to the existing whales at SeaWorld.

Marineland, which closed to the public in 2024, retained ownership of the whales due to its inability to provide adequate care. When the park realized it could not continue to care for the animals, it sought relocation approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in July. The NOAA granted the permits, noting that no other Canadian facilities could offer the necessary medical treatment and care for the belugas.

Currently, 17 whales remain at Marineland, with plans to move them to aquariums in Georgia, Chicago, San Diego, and Spain, though no specific timeline has been provided.