Six Marineland belugas successfully relocated to U.S. aquariums

Six beluga whales that called Marineland home are now settling into new facilities in the United States following overnight operations, marking a significant turning point for Niagara Falls.

Each beluga was guided into specially designed slings, lifted out of the water and lowered by a crane into custom transport containers.

Special transport trucks, medical teams and staff travelled under a police escort to Toronto Pearson International Airport Monday evening.

The speed of the convoy, the plane’s takeoff and the altitude it flew were all carefully planned.

“I’d say this is something like doing an operation, you know, like brain surgery … and every little, tiny detail is considered, evaluated, and checked off,” says Andrew Burns, advisor to Marineland.

By early Tuesday, all six belugas had arrived, with four now at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and two at SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas.

“All the whales are safely in their pools and swimming around right now and happy as whales can be,” Burns says.

“The Government of Canada took reasonable steps to ensure the safe rescue of the whales, including issuing CITES permits following a review of the transportation plan. Fisheries Act authorizations are being issued as the individual health assessments for each whale is completed,” the federal government told CHCH News in a statement.

The move comes after years of uncertainty since Marineland closed to the public in 2024.

The park had warned it was running out of money to care for the animals and could be forced to euthanize the belugas if a solution wasn’t found.

“We were denied the permit to China by the government on October 1 last year,” Burns says.

READ MORE: Six whales being moved out of Marineland, headed to U.S. aquariums

The federal government later approved relocations to the U.S. and Spain.

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati says the first departures of these belugas mark a local significance, with Marineland being a part of the community for decades.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction … and it’s good to see a solution to this finally,” a city resident says.

“It’s a long time coming. I’m delighted … I’m for no mammals like that in captivity,” another resident adds.

Marineland says 24 whales remain with the international effort aiming to complete the moves to the U.S. aquariums in Georgia and Connecticut and to Valencia, Spain, by the end of August.

“The rescue started with the needs of the belugas. The plan was built, as much as possible, on understanding their overall health, social bonds and multiple other factors,” says Dr. Chris Dold, chief zoological officer at SeaWorld.

“Our plans naturally evolved as we learned more about the whales and we will remain adaptive and responsive to the whales’ needs as we work to complete this unprecedented rescue.”

Meanwhile at Shedd Aquarium, officials say care and veterinary teams are now getting to know the four new arrivals Acadia, Osiris, Sierra and Lillooet. They are also providing any treatment and support the whales may need as they settle into their new home.

While the newly arrived belugas settle in, officials are planning future rescue operations for Marineland’s remaining animals

Both facilities already have multigenerational beluga pods. To ensure a smooth transition, the aquariums will give the whales time to adjust before making introductions.

READ MORE: U.S. approves ’emergency rescue’ plan to import Marineland’s whales and dolphins