Marineland marine mammals relocated to Spain and the US

Marine mammals from the shuttered Marineland theme park in Niagara Falls, Canada, are being relocated to various international aquariums. The transfers follow the park's closure and its inability to fund the care of its animals.

In a recent move, two beluga whales and four dolphins were transported to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain. The dolphins, named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, represent the last captive dolphins in Canada. Two belugas, Cleopatra and Jelly Bean, also joined the shipment.

Separately, three male beluga whales—Xavier, Cyprus, and Jasper—arrived at SeaWorld San Diego after a 12-hour journey. This relocation effort was facilitated by an agreement involving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and several major aquariums, including SeaWorld locations, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

The relocation efforts began after the Canadian federal government blocked an initial plan to sell the park's 30 belugas and four dolphins to a Chinese aquarium, citing a 2019 law regarding whale and dolphin captivity. Marineland had previously threatened to euthanize the animals due to financial constraints if emergency funding was not provided.