Science & Nature
4 More Beluga Whales Expected at Shedd Aquarium From Shuttered Canadian Water Park
A beluga whale is set to be transported to the U.S. from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Aug. 12, 2026. (Brenna Hernandez / Shedd Aquarium)
Four more beluga whales will be coming to the Shedd Aquarium as part of a rescue mission from a defunct Canadian park, the Shedd confirmed.
The additional four belugas expected to arrive at the Shedd are:
- Caspian, 27 years old
- Peekachu, 23 years old
- Secord, 22 years old
- Rain, 20 years old
“Our only focus remains on providing immediate care and comfort for the rescues,” Shedd spokesperson Kayley Galassini said in an email.
More details about the belugas will be shared later, according to Galassini.
The belugas are the latest to be rescued from Marineland, a shuttered theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, which closed to the public in 2024. Last month, a first batch of four beluga whales arrived at Shedd Aquarium.
Marineland threatened to euthanize the whales after Canadian authorities blocked its plan to send the belugas to China. Authorities cited concerns they would face continued life in captivity as “public entertainment.” Canada’s government eventually endorsed a plan to move the last remaining whales to aquariums in the U.S. and Spain.
Other rescued belugas and dolphins from Marineland were also expected to be received by Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, SeaWorld locations in San Antonio and San Diego, and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Patty Wetli and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
