Marineland beluga dies shortly after move to Chicago aquarium

Two belugas and four dolphins from the shuttered Marineland theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, are being relocated today to an aquarium in Spain. This marks the fifth move of whales from the struggling park as it gradually removes all of its animals from the property. Marineland is currently up for sale and has admitted it is running out of funds, making it unable to continue caring for its inhabitants.

Initially, all 30 belugas and four dolphins were intended for an aquarium in China, but this plan was thwarted by the federal government, citing the 2019 law that prohibits whale and dolphin captivity, breeding, and performances. After today's transfer to Oceanografic Valencia, six belugas will remain at Marineland, with plans for them to join a captive dolphin exhibit in the United States.

The four dolphins making the journey are Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, marking the final departure of captive dolphins from Canada. Accompanying them are belugas Cleopatra and Jelly Bean, the last captive whales in Canada. The park had previously threatened to euthanize all its belugas and whales if the federal government did not provide an emergency financial rescue.

In response to Marineland's predicament, a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums stepped in to offer assistance. This unprecedented collective move of captive whales has thus far seen belugas transported to SeaWorld locations in San Diego and San Antonio, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.