A 23-year-old female beluga whale named Peekachu died unexpectedly at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium on Tuesday, days after being transported from a shuttered Ontario park as part of an effort to relocate Canada’s last captive whales. Aquarium officials reported that caretakers attempted to administer rehydration therapy after blood samples indicated dehydration, but the whale died during the process. The aquarium has committed to releasing a necropsy report once available.
Peekachu was one of eight belugas relocated from Marineland in Ontario to the Shedd Aquarium this summer—four in July and four in September. Marineland, which permanently closed in 2024, had housed 30 beluga whales and four dolphins, all of which required relocation before being euthanized. The Canadian government approved a plan in January to export the animals to the Shedd Aquarium and four other marine parks: Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, SeaWorld locations in San Antonio and San Diego, and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.
Peekachu, who was blind in one eye and had previously struggled to socialize with other whales, showed early signs of adaptation to her new environment before her sudden decline. Aquarium staff had monitored her health and behavior closely since her arrival, with officials noting her resilience despite her disabilities.
Marineland’s recent history has been marked by high mortality rates among its marine mammals. Since 2019, provincial government data shows 20 whale deaths—19 belugas and one killer whale—at the park. The relocation effort, which involved transporting the animals in custom-made slings and temperature-controlled containers, was described by officials as meticulously planned to minimize stress.
The Shedd Aquarium has not yet provided additional details about Peekachu’s condition or the circumstances surrounding her death, stating only that a necropsy would be shared once completed. The broader relocation effort for Marineland’s remaining animals is ongoing, with the first wave of transfers already completed and additional movements planned for the coming months.