UPDATE: Shedd Aquarium Confirms 3 Beluga Deaths In Eight Days, Including 2 Recently Transferred From Marineland
Heartbreaking news as three beluga whales have died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium within eight days, including two who had recently been transferred from Marineland in Canada.
Shedd Aquarium confirmed the deaths of 20-year-old Rain and 34-year-old Beethoven on September 2. Rain was one of four belugas transferred from Marineland in Canada to Shedd on August 13. Beethoven had been part of Shedd’s resident beluga pod for decades.
Their deaths came eight days after 23-year-old Peekachu, another recently transferred Marineland beluga, died suddenly on August 25. Peekachu and Rain arrived at Shedd together during the aquarium’s second transport from Canada on August 13.
In the days before Peekachu’s death, the aquarium said she had not been consistently consuming her full diet. Blood samples prompted concern that she was dehydrated, and veterinary staff were administering medication and fluids when she died. A necropsy was performed, but Shedd said the complete findings could take several weeks.
The causes of Rain and Beethoven’s deaths have not yet been determined. Shedd is conducting necropsies, blood testing, and additional examinations as it works to understand what happened.
The aquarium said, “These deaths were unexpected and there is still much we do not know about what led to them.”
Thirty belugas were relocated from Marineland after the marine park closed to the public. Shedd ultimately received 10 of the belugas through three separate transports. Its final two arrivals, 7-year-old Gimli and 8-year-old Yukon, reached Chicago on September 1.
Animal Justice, a Canadian animal law organization, is among those raising concerns about the speed of the Marineland transfers following the deaths of Peekachu and Rain.
“This fast-tracked mass export was an epic failure,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, Director of Legal Advocacy at Animal Justice.
Following Peekachu’s death, Animal Justice called on Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death and halt additional beluga transports until the remaining whales could be independently assessed to determine whether they were healthy enough to travel.
The organization also requested an independent review of Peekachu’s veterinary, transport, and necropsy records, including information about her condition before departure and throughout the transport and acclimation process.
The remaining relocations proceeded, and Animal Justice reported on September 3 that all 30 belugas had been moved out of Marineland.
World Animal News will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as necropsy findings and additional information become available.
Our hearts are with Rain, Peekachu, and Beethoven. May their tragic deaths underscore the importance of protecting the health and welfare of every surviving beluga.
We hope that one day the remaining Marineland belugas may have the opportunity to live in a suitable seaside sanctuary, if one becomes available and they are healthy enough to make the journey. Belugas belong in the wild, and those who remain in captivity deserve the most natural life possible.
