The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago received four female beluga whales flown from Toronto as part of a rescue relocation from the closed Marineland of Canada. The whales — Acadia, Osiris, Sierra and Lillooet, aged 21 to 27 — travelled together because of strong social bonds and were accompanied by marine mammal veterinarians and care specialists. The transfer is part of a larger effort to move about 30 belugas to five institutions that specialise in beluga welfare, and receiving teams will closely monitor and support their acclimatisation.
Four Beluga Whales Flown From Toronto to Chicago in Rescue Transfer to Shedd Aquarium
Members of the relocation teams use a sling to move a beluga whale - REUTERS
Four beluga whales were flown from Toronto to Chicago on Monday as part of a coordinated rescue transfer moving animals from Marineland of Canada to specialized care facilities. The operation was carried out to ensure the welfare of animals previously housed at a marine park that can no longer provide long-term care.
Whale of a time: A member of the relocation team playing with one of the belugas - Shedd Aquarium/Heidi Zeiger
Photographs of the transfer show the whales being lifted in harnesses into large, water-filled blue transport tanks by crane operators and trained handlers. Once secured, the tanks were loaded onto a cargo plane and monitored continuously by veterinarians and animal care specialists throughout the journey.
Members of Chicago's Shedd Aquarium use a sling to move one of the four beluga whales - REUTERS
Who Were the Whales?
The four females — Acadia, Osiris, Sierra and Lillooet — are between 21 and 27 years old. They were chosen to travel together as a sub-pod because of the strong social bonds they share, a measure intended to reduce stress and support their wellbeing during transit.
The belugas are being relocated to institutions that specialise in beluga whale care - REUTERS
Care and Oversight During Transit
Each animal was accompanied by veterinarians specialising in marine mammal medicine and by experienced animal care staff tasked with monitoring health, behaviour and water quality. Receiving teams at the Shedd Aquarium supervised the unloading and transfer from plane to holding tanks to ensure each whale remained stable and comfortable.
Members of the relocation team monitor the unloading of a cargo jet with tanks containing the four beluga whales - REUTERS
Dr Karisa Tang, Lead Veterinarian and Vice-President of Animal Health at Shedd Aquarium, said the transfer marks a new chapter for these rescued belugas and that teams will provide tailored support, treatment, nutrition and attention as the animals acclimatise to their new environment.
Part Of A Larger Relocation Effort
These four belugas are among up to ten planned transfers to the Shedd Aquarium and part of a wider programme relocating roughly 30 belugas from Marineland to five institutions that specialise in beluga care and rehabilitation following the park's closure. Partner facilities say they will continue close monitoring and provide species-specific care as needed while the animals settle.
The relocation highlights coordinated efforts by aquariums, veterinarians and animal welfare organisations to prioritise the long-term wellbeing of animals previously held in facilities unable to offer appropriate, sustained care.
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