Beluga whales from Canada’s Marineland arrive at U.S. aquariums

The closed Marineland theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has begun relocating its beluga whales. Six animals were moved in July 2026, with four arriving at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and two at SeaWorld San Antonio. The transfer used temperature‑controlled containers on trucks and a cargo plane, with veterinarians and caretakers accompanying the whales.

The relocation is part of a broader plan to distribute up to 30 belugas among four accredited U.S. facilities—Shedd, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta—and the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain, pending Spanish authorisation. NOAA approved the move after Canada rejected a proposal to send the whales to China. The aquariums are monitoring the animals’ health and behavior before allowing public display.

Marineland ceased operations in 2024 amid financial strain and animal‑welfare controversy, prompting the international rescue effort that will continue over the coming months.