Beluga whales from Marineland Canada to be moved to U.S. aquariums

Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls closed in 2024, leaving about 30 surviving beluga whales. Under an emergency provision of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, the whales are being allocated to several American facilities: 13 to SeaWorld San Antonio, 3 to SeaWorld San Diego, 2 to the Georgia Aquarium, and 10 to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Two will be sent to Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration approved the emergency transfer request, and the Georgia Aquarium has identified two mature males, Balor (9) and Zephyr (6), as its recipients. Animal‑welfare experts warn that transport stress could cause deaths, noting the animals are not in good health. The move follows financial troubles and animal‑welfare concerns that led to the park’s shutdown, and it reflects ongoing challenges in finding suitable retirement homes for captive cetaceans.