Seven female belugas were moved from Marineland to SeaWorld San Antonio on Aug. 3 as part of the second phase of a multinational rescue effort. The transfers follow a July 20 relocation and come after Marineland said it could no longer afford long-term care for its collection. NOAA approved an emergency rescue plan, and a consortium of accredited aquariums in the U.S. and Spain are receiving the animals. Authorities aim to relocate all 30 belugas by Aug. 31 while veterinary teams monitor each whale closely.
Seven Female Belugas Transferred From Marineland to SeaWorld San Antonio in Coordinated Rescue
Beluga whale "Gemini" is transported by a group of experts from Marineland and several U.S. aquariums onto a truck via a sling at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026Credit: Carlos Osorio/The Canadian Press via AP
Seven female beluga whales — Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva and Calypso — were moved from Marineland (Ontario) to SeaWorld San Antonio on Aug. 3 as part of a coordinated, international relocation effort to protect the animals' welfare.
Second Phase of a Larger Rescue
Marineland, closed to the public since 2024 while its owners seek a buyer, has been relocating its remaining whales after saying financial constraints left it unable to continue long-term care for the collection. The Aug. 3 transfer represents the second phase of a plan that follows an initial July 20 move.
Team assisting in the transport of a beluga whale using a sling and frameCredit: Heidi Zeiger
How the Transfer Was Carried Out
The operation involved custom slings and specially designed frames, dozens of trained staff, and veterinarians and aquatic medicine specialists escorting animals in temperature-controlled, cold-water transport containers. Marineland described the multi-step, cross-border effort — coordinated with accredited aquariums and government agencies — as "unprecedented." Teams monitored each whale closely throughout travel and during the acclimation period at their new facility.
"Our team is laser-focused on supporting each whale through this transition with individualized care, patience and observation to ensure their welfare," said Steve Aibel, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Background And International Collaboration
Before relocations began, Marineland housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, making it the largest collection of captive belugas in the world and Canada's last facility holding whales and dolphins in captivity. Earlier attempts to transfer animals to an aquarium in China were blocked by the Canadian federal fisheries minister over animal-welfare concerns.
A beluga whale is being transported using a sling and ropesCredit: Brenna Hernandez
After public outcry and warnings that the park might be forced to euthanize belugas without emergency funding, a consortium of U.S. and Spanish aquariums negotiated to accept the animals. In July, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved an emergency rescue plan after officials from both countries determined relocation to accredited institutions was in the animals' best interest.
Where The Whales Are Going
The first group moved on July 20: four belugas (Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet) went to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, while Bertie Botts and Frankie were transferred to SeaWorld San Antonio by flatbed truck and cargo plane. The broader receiving network includes SeaWorld San Antonio and San Diego, Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and Oceanogràfic València in Spain. Marineland and its advisers have said the goal is to relocate all 30 belugas by Aug. 31.
Ongoing Care And Monitoring
Staff at receiving institutions continue to provide individualized veterinary care and behavioral monitoring as the whales acclimate to new habitats. Officials say the transfers will remain under close observation to ensure each animal’s short- and long-term welfare.
Note: This account is based on statements from Marineland and receiving aquariums, public reports, and approvals from regulatory authorities involved in the emergency relocation.
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