Science & Nature
Shedd Welcomes 4 Belugas Rescued From Defunct Canadian Water Park
Video: Beluga whales arrive at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. (Courtesy of Shedd Aquarium)
The first phase of a complicated, high-stakes rescue of 30 beluga whales from a defunct Canadian water park is complete with four female belugas now adjusting to their new home at Shedd Aquarium, officials announced Tuesday.
The whales’ future has been in limbo since at least 2024 when their home at Marineland — a longtime tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, Ontario — closed to the public. When Canadian authorities blocked Marineland’s plan to send the belugas to China, the park threatened to euthanize the whales.
Shedd is one of several partners that stepped in to offer an alternative, which Canadian authorities accepted. Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld San Antonio and SeaWorld San Diego in the U.S., and Oceanogràfic de València in Spain are also taking part in the rescue.
Shedd has a long history of caring for belugas, which make their home in the aquarium’s 3-million-gallon Abbott Oceanarium.
The Canadian Press was on site at Marineland as the removal process began. The whales were individually lifted out of a pool by sling, operated by a crane. Each was then placed in a water-filled container and then driven to the airport.
A spokesperson for Marineland told the Canadian Press that the truck convoy carrying the whales would move slowly and avoid steep inclines and declines. Similarly, the plane would take off and land as gradually as possible so as not to disturb the belugas. The whales were accompanied the entire time by veterinarians specializing in marine mammal medicine and animal care specialists.
A rescued beluga whale arriving at Shedd Aquarium, July 21, 2026. (Heidi Zeiger / Shedd Aquarium)
“This moment marks the next chapter for these rescued belugas,” Dr. Karisa Tang, lead veterinarian and vice president of animal health at Shedd Aquarium, said in a statement.
“Now that they are here,” Tang continued, “the full attention of our care and veterinary teams is on getting to know these whales and providing whatever supplemental support, care, treatment, nutrition and attention we can provide to help them acclimate to their new environment.”
The four rescued females were moved together in a sub-pod because of their preexisting bonds with one another, according to Shedd Aquarium. The whales, with estimated ages, include:
— Acadia (uh-KAY-dee-uh), 27 years old.
— Osiris (oh-SY-riss), 26 years old.
— Sierra (see-AIR-uh), 26 years old.
— Lillooet (lih-LOO-et), 21 years old.
While the whales have arrived safely, Shedd’s experts expect to learn more about the animals’ health and condition in the coming days.
“We are watching closely for the rescued belugas to eat a full diet, socialize with one another and investigate the habitat, which are encouraging signs of their progress,” Charlie Jacobsma, director of animal behavior and training at Shedd Aquarium, said in a statement. “We are cautiously optimistic as we start to see some of those initial indicators.”
Shedd has committed to re-homing as many as 10 of Marineland’s belugas. Experts will take learnings from this first transport and apply them to future moves. Details and timelines for additional rescues are expected to shift based on the needs of the animals and will not be shared in advance, officials said.
Staff at Shedd Aquarium will be caring for the rescued belugas around the clock during the newcomers' critical adjustment period. (Heidi Zeiger / Shedd Aquarium)
Though Marineland has been roundly criticized for its handling of the whales, the rescue operation has not been universally applauded.
Animal rights advocates in Canada are concerned that some if not all of the whales may be in poor health. The shock of being moved could be more than the belugas can withstand.
Animal Justice, Canada’s national animal law organization, said it is fearful that if weakened animals are exported, they could become seriously ill or even die as a result. The organization pointed to a prior transfer of five belugas from Marineland to Connecticut in 2021. Three of the whales died.
Advocates also raised the issue of Canada’s “Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act,” often called the “Free Willy” law. The act not only bans the captivity of whales and dolphins going forward, but also the breeding of them. Animal Justice wants guarantees from Shedd Aquarium and its rescue partners that they will abide by that law.
“This generation of whales was supposed to be the last to suffer in captivity in Canada, and without no-breeding guarantees, Canada will simply be perpetuating our whale jail problem outside our borders,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice.
Shedd Aquarium did not respond to WTTW News’ request for comment.
Video: Beluga whales are rescued from Marineland, a longtime tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and flown to Chicago. (Courtesy of Shedd Aquarium)
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
