Osiris, a 26-year-old beluga rescued from Marineland, died at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago after a rapid decline despite prior signs of improvement. Staff had been treating dehydration and electrolyte imbalance and moved her to a medical habitat when her condition changed. Osiris is the third Marineland rescue to die since the group's relocation; the exact cause of death is under investigation.
Third Rescued Beluga, Osiris, Dies at Shedd Aquarium After Rapid Decline
Third rescued beluga whale dies at Chicago aquarium
Osiris, a 26-year-old female beluga whale rescued from Marineland in Canada, has died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium a little more than a month after her arrival.
The Shedd said Osiris arrived as a "whale of clinical concern" and that staff observed intermittent signs of improvement in both nutrition and social behavior. Veterinary teams treated her for dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance, and staff reported she had been socializing and eating following treatment.
A Shedd Aquarium worker feeds a pair of beluga whales named Gimli and Yukon, both rescues from Marineland in Canada. Three of the rescued Marineland belugas — Rain, Peekachu, and Osiris — have died following their move to the aquarium (Reuters)
On Monday, personnel noticed changes in Osiris’s behavior and respiratory pattern and moved her to a medical habitat for more intensive care. "Her condition declined rapidly, and Osiris passed away despite lifesaving efforts by our veterinary and animal care teams," the aquarium said. Officials are continuing investigations to determine the exact cause of death.
Context and Recent Losses
Osiris is the third beluga connected to the recent Marineland rescues to die after relocation. Earlier in September, Rain, a 20-year-old rescued beluga, and Peekachu, a 23-year-old rescue, both died. Beethoven, a 34-year-old male who was part of the Shedd’s resident beluga pod, also died around the same time.
A beluga whale is transported via sling from a tank at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada. The whale was among 30 that were rescued from the park and rehomed in American zoos and aquariums (AP)
The belugas were moved after Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed in September 2024 amid allegations of animal abuse. At closing the park had about 30 belugas; public donations initially funded their care. When funds ran low, caretakers sought help and two U.S. facilities with capacity — the Shedd Aquarium and SeaWorld San Antonio — accepted groups of the animals. In July, many of the whales were flown in water-filled tanks aboard a Boeing 777 to new homes.
Shedd Statement: "Each rescued beluga came to Shedd with a distinct life history and health needs that could not be fully understood before their arrival. We will continue to monitor each whale around the clock, adapting care, habitats, and routines to meet their evolving needs."
The Shedd and other receiving institutions face complex medical and logistical challenges in caring for rescued animals with unknown or complicated health histories. Investigations into Osiris’s death are ongoing, and the aquarium said it will share findings when available.
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