{
  "id": 9846245,
  "title": "Marineland belugas that died in Chicago had chronic disease, aquarium says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/marineland-belugas-that-died-in-chicago-had-chronic-disease-aquarium",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T22:00:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/09/25/marineland-belugas-that-died-in-chicago-had-chronic-disease-aquarium-says/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two belugas, Peekachu and Rain, that were relocated from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, both passed away due to chronic inflammatory diseases within their gastrointestinal systems. Shedd Aquarium, which helped Marineland move all 30 belugas and four dolphins to Chicago, found bird feathers, sticks, and large porous rocks in Peekachu's stomach, and small flecks of material that may be paint in Rain's stomach. The aquarium stated that they do not believe these foreign objects contributed to the whales' deaths. Marineland, however, disagreed with parts of Shedd's statement, asserting that their veterinary and animal care teams had successfully cared for Peekachu and Rain for 23 and 20 years respectively, in large outdoor habitats. There are no restrictions on breeding or performances for the relocated whales.",
  "summary": "Two Marineland whales that died weeks after being relocated to a Chicago facility had chronic, pre-existing diseases, Shedd Aquarium said Friday. The U.S. park, however, stopped short of saying that was the cause of death for Peekachu, a 23-year-old female beluga, and Rain, a 20-year-old female beluga. There is no evidence of any infectious disease, […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Two belugas, Peekachu and Rain, died from chronic gastrointestinal diseases.",
    "Shedd Aquarium found foreign objects in their stomachs, but believes they didn't cause deaths.",
    "Marineland disputes Shedd's statement, praising their care for 23 and 20 years."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/9846245.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "Marineland belugas that died in Chicago had chronic inflammatory disease, preliminary necropsy findings show",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/marineland-belugas-that-died-in-chicago-had-chronic-inflammatory",
        "published": "2026-09-25T19:51:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Marineland belugas that died in Chicago had chronic disease, aquarium says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/marineland-belugas-that-died-in-chicago-had-chronic-disease-aquarium-9848068",
        "published": "2026-09-25T21:48:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Foreign objects found in dead Marineland belugas, Chicago aquarium says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/foreign-objects-found-in-dead-marineland-belugas-chicago-aquarium-says",
        "published": "2026-09-25T23:01:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}