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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 14, 2026Miami-Dade

Shedd Aquarium receives four additional beluga whales from Canada's Marineland

Four beluga whales have been relocated from the closed Marineland theme park in Ontario to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. This transfer is part of a larger international rescue plan to move 30 whales and four dolphins to various aquariums in the United States and Spain.

animal welfaremarine lifeaquariumsinternational transport
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Why It Matters

The relocation involves the transfer of Canada's last captive whales to new facilities to avoid potential following the closure of Marineland.

Key Facts

  • Four beluga whales (Caspian, Peekachu, Rain, and Secord) arrived at Shedd Aquarium in the second group of transfers.
  • The rescue plan involves moving a total of 30 whales and four dolphins from Marineland.
  • Marineland announced it was for sale in early 2023 and closed to the public in late summer 2024.
  • Since 2019, 20 whales (19 belugas and one killer whale) have died at Marineland.
  • The animals are being relocated to five facilities: Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld (San Antonio and San Diego), and Oceanografic Valencia.
  • The transport process uses custom-built slings and temperature-controlled containers.
  • Shedd Aquarium staff monitored health records for months prior to the transfer.
  • New arrivals are currently being integrated with three existing belugas at the Shedd Aquarium.

Who's Mentioned

organizationMarineland“Closed theme park in Ontario, Canada”organizationOceanografic Valencia“Facility receiving relocated animals”personCharlie Jacobsma“Director of animal behavior and training at Shedd Aquarium”organizationSeaWorld“Facility receiving relocated animals”personDr. Karisa Tang“Lead veterinarian at Shedd Aquarium”organizationShedd Aquarium“Chicago-based aquarium receiving the whales”organizationGeorgia Aquarium“Facility receiving relocated animals”