SIX BELUGA WHALES RELOCATED FROM CLOSED CANADIAN MARINE PARK TO US

Six beluga whales have arrived at aquariums in the United States after being relocated from Marineland of Canada in Niagara Falls, which closed in 2024. Four whales—Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet—arrived at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium on Tuesday 21 July. Two others, Bertie Botts and Frankie, were relocated to SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas. The whales were transported in specialised cold-water containers by truck and plane, accompanied throughout their journeys by marine mammal veterinarians.

The relocation represents the first stage of an international effort to rehome 30 beluga whales that were living at Marineland when it ceased operations. The move followed months of planning and veterinary checks to ensure the animals' welfare during transport. Footage documented the mammals being airlifted to safety using heavy-duty cranes as they began their journeys from Canada. Specialist teams are now monitoring the whales as they adapt to their new environments.

The relocation effort is described as unprecedented in scale for beluga whale transfers between countries. All 30 whales currently at Marineland require new homes as a result of the facility's closure. The successful arrival of this initial group marks progress on the larger rehoming programme, with the remaining whales expected to be relocated in subsequent stages.