Six belugas were transferred from the closed Marineland in Ontario on July 20 as the first stage of a broader effort to rehome all 30 whales still at the park. The group — moved to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and SeaWorld San Antonio — required cranes, hoists and specialised transport to reach Toronto Pearson Airport. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and U.S. agencies have backed the staged rescue, but no animal will travel without veterinary clearance and necessary export permits.
Six Belugas Depart Closed Marineland as Wider 30-Whale Rehoming Plan Begins
Photo Credit: iStock
Beluga whales have begun to leave Marineland, the now-closed Ontario theme park, as the first phase of a broader plan to rehome all 30 animals still at the site. The initial transfers started on July 20, according to CBC News, and involved six animals being moved to accredited institutions in the United States.
Who Was Moved and Where
Four belugas — Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet — were flown to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Two others, Bertie Botts and Frankie, were transferred to SeaWorld San Antonio. Further moves could follow in the coming weeks as veterinary checks and export permits are completed.
Complex Logistics and Animal Care
Moving belugas safely required careful planning and specialized equipment. Adult belugas can exceed 4.5 metres (about 14.8 feet) in length and weigh roughly 1,900 kilograms (about 4,189 pounds). Crews used cranes, hoists, custom transport trucks and escorted transfers to move the animals from Marineland to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Regulatory Backing and Vet Clearance
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has endorsed a proposal to place the remaining whales at accredited facilities in the United States and Spain, subject to medical clearance and export permits. Last month the Department of Fisheries and Oceans approved a plan to move all 30 belugas still at Marineland, and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) authorised an emergency rescue covering some of the animals.
Why The Move Is Urgent
Since last autumn the animals faced the possibility of euthanasia after Marineland was denied permission to export them to China. With the park closed to visitors, questions grew about whether Marineland could continue to finance and provide appropriate long-term care for the whales.
"The first wave of the rescue mission at Marineland is underway," the office of Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said, according to CBC News.
The aquarium consortium added: "Aquarium experts will accompany the animals to their new homes where they will be met with diverse seafood to meet their nutritional needs, high-quality environments with guaranteed water quality and onsite medical care should they require it at any time."
What Comes Next
Officials emphasize that no whale will travel until it has passed a full veterinary examination and been cleared for transport. Destination facilities are expected to provide monitored water conditions, on-site medical support and varied seafood diets tailored to each animal's nutritional needs. If fully implemented, the rehoming plan may serve as a model for other institutions managing the futures of captive marine mammals.
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