Six beluga whales relocated from Canada to U.S. aquariums

Six beluga whales have arrived at U.S. aquariums after being relocated from the shuttered Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The whales, part of a larger group of 30, were transported by truck and plane to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas. The relocation followed months of planning and veterinary checks, with specialized cold-water containers used for the journey. Marineland closed in September 2024 amid controversy and allegations of animal abuse, leaving the whales' care uncertain. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved the relocation to ensure proper medical treatment and husbandry, as no Canadian facilities were equipped to care for the whales. The first batch of six whales—Bertie Bott, Frankie, Sierra, Acadia, Osiris, and Lillooet—are settling into their new homes, with caretakers reporting positive behavior and health. The relocation is part of an international effort to rehome the remaining 24 belugas, with additional whales expected to be moved to facilities in Atlanta and San Diego.