World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Five rescued Marineland belugas and one dolphin have died
Thirty belugas and four dolphins left Marineland, a closed sea park near Niagara Falls, in the largest transfer of captive whales of its kind.
The move followed Canada's rejection of Marineland's plan to sell the animals to China over animal-welfare concerns; the park had said it would otherwise have to euthanise them.
Five belugas and one dolphin have died since the animals were relocated to aquariums in Canada, the United States and Spain.
At Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, examinations found chronic digestive inflammation in two belugas, foreign objects in their stomachs and preliminary signs of chronic liver disease in another.
The animals faced euthanasia and came from an ageing facility, where about 20 whales died between 2019 and September 2025, according to a tally by the Canadian Press.
Experts say it is too early to judge the transfers, while animal-welfare advocates warn that transport can endanger whales with serious health problems and that captive-raised whales have few options for surviving in the wild.
Five belugas and one dolphin from the Marineland animal transfer have died, according to the BBC.
Four belugas died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, while a beluga and a dolphin died at Oceanogràfic València in Spain.
The animals were among those moved from the shuttered Marineland near Niagara Falls in the largest-ever transfer of captive whales.
Experts say it is too early to judge the outcome of the transfers, while animal welfare groups have raised concerns about the risks of transporting unhealthy animals.
- Who
- Five belugas and one dolphin from the Marineland transfer have died.
- What
- The animals died after being relocated to aquariums.
- When
- After the transfers took place this summer; exact dates of the deaths are not stated.
- Where
- Four belugas died at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. One beluga and one dolphin died at Oceanogràfic València in Spain.
- Why
- The causes of all six deaths are not stated. Examinations found chronic disease in some of the belugas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Marineland opened.
Marineland closed after years of animal welfare concerns and financial woes.
The belugas and dolphins were transferred from Marineland to aquariums in several locations.
Shedd said some of the Marineland belugas could have substantial, longstanding medical needs.
- Deaths reported
- Five belugas and one dolphin
- Shedd Aquarium deaths
- Four Marineland belugas and longtime resident Beethoven
- València deaths
- Beluga Jelly Bean and dolphin Echo
- Marineland location
- Near Niagara Falls
- Marineland closure
- 2024
What people are saying
If an animal was not healthy enough to withstand the stress of transport, it should not have been transported,
growing animal welfare crisis on our hands
This is the last one to happen, and it's never going to happen again,
could have substantial, longstanding medical needs