Third Marineland beluga dies after being moved, this time in Spain

A third beluga whale, named Jelly Bean, has passed away unexpectedly at Oceanografic Valencia, following a massive relocation from the now-closed Marineland theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Spanish aquarium took in Jelly Bean and another beluga, Cleopatra, in late August from Marineland. Two other belugas from Marineland and a resident beluga at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium also died within weeks of their respective moves.

Oceanografic stated that Jelly Bean had experienced feeding difficulties before her sudden death. The aquarium intensified her monitoring, but she showed signs of improvement and remained responsive to her caregivers. Nineteen belugas died at Marineland between 2019 and 2025. The 30 belugas that once formed the largest collection of captive belugas in the world were moved to five parks across the United States and Spain in the course of six weeks.

The cause of Jelly Bean's death remains undetermined, and Oceanografic's veterinarians will conduct a necropsy to find out more.