Beluga Whales Relocated to U.S. Aquariums After Canadian Park Closure

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:29:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Six beluga whales moved from a closed Canadian marine park to U.S. zoos after careful planning and veterinary care.

In the wake of Marineland of Canada’s closure, six beluga whales were transported across the border to U.S. facilities in Chicago and San Antonio. The move involved specialized cold‑water containers, trucks, and planes, with marine mammal vets accompanying the journey. Following months of veterinary checks, the whales now settle into their new homes under close monitoring. The relocation marks the first stage of a larger effort to rehome a pod of 30 belugas. This unprecedented international operation underscores the challenges of animal welfare in captive settings.

Beluga Whales Relocated to U.S. Aquariums After Canadian Park Closure

Six beluga whales, part of a larger pod of 30 at Marineland of Canada, were transferred to U.S. aquariums following the sudden closure of their Canadian marine park. The whales were carefully shipped across the border in specialized cold‑water containers, using both truck and plane transport.

Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet arrived at a facility in Chicago, while Bertie Botts and Frankie were received by SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas. Marine mammal veterinarians accompanied each shipment, ensuring the animals’ health and safety during the journey.

This relocation represents the first phase of an unprecedented international effort to rehome the belugas. After months of meticulous planning and veterinary checks, specialist teams are now monitoring the whales as they acclimatize to their new environments.

The move underscores the complexities of maintaining large marine mammals in captive settings and highlights the importance of coordinated veterinary care and animal welfare policy in the U.S. and Canada.