# Marineland completes final transfer of Canada's last whales > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/france-authorizes-transfer-of-antibes-orcas-to-spains-loro-parque-zoo > Updated: 2026-09-05T00:40:16.000Z. Sources: 115. Developments: 23. The multi‑phase rescue of marine mammals from the closed Marineland facilities in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has concluded. On August 31, the final six beluga whales were relocated to aquariums in the United States, marking the end of whale and dolphin captivity in Canada following a 2019 federal law. The operation, described as the largest collective relocation of captive whales in history, involved six separate moves over several weeks. A total of 30 belugas and four dolphins were shipped to five facilities: the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and Oceanogràfic Valencia in Spain. Marineland officials noted the relocation was necessary due to extreme financial difficulties, stating that without these permanent homes, the animals would have faced euthanasia. Following the relocation, the Shedd Aquarium reported the deaths of several beluga whales. Among those lost were Peekachu, a 23-year-old female who died during treatment for dehydration, as well as Rain, a 20-year-old female rescue, and Beethoven, a 34-year-old male resident. The aquarium has since reported that several transferred belugas are experiencing ongoing health issues. Staff are providing round-the-clock supervision to monitor hydration, breathing rates, and social behaviors. While some rescued whales show encouraging signs, the institution stated that none are currently in the “desired health condition.” These health concerns follow the transfer, which received final approval from Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson after the animals were given a clean bill of health prior to relocation. ## Claims - The 23-year-old beluga whale, Peekachu, died suddenly on Tuesday evening. (disputed by 5 sources) - Two beluga whales died at the Shedd Aquarium, one being a recent rescue and one a resident. (disputed by 2 sources) - Four dolphins named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami were relocated from Marineland to Spain. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Marineland stated it is running out of money and can no longer care for the whales. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Marineland described the whale transfer operation as ‘unprecedented’. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Canadian fisheries minister blocked a deal to sell 30 belugas to a Chinese aquarium, deeming it not in the best interest of the animals. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Six beluga whales, consisting of two males and four females, are being moved from Marineland to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Canadian government approved a deal with a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums to relocate the animals. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Following the most recent transfer, 11 belugas and four dolphins remain at Marineland. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Blood tests indicated the whale was dehydrated prior to death. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Shedd Aquarium reports health issues in transferred Marineland belugas Shedd Aquarium reports health concerns and recent deaths among beluga whales transferred from Canada's Marineland as part of a large-scale rescue operation. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shedd-aquarium-reports-health-issues-in-transferred-marineland-belugas ### 2026-09-02: Shedd Aquarium reports deaths of beluga whales following Canadian rescue effort Multiple beluga whales, including recent rescues from Canada's closed Marineland, have died at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium during an ongoing international relocation effort. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shedd-aquarium-reports-deaths-of-beluga-whales-following-canadian-rescue-effort ### 2026-08-31: Marineland completes final transfer of Canada's last captive whales Canada's last captive whales have left Marineland in Niagara Falls, marking the end of whale captivity in the country as 34 marine mammals are relocated to aquariums in the U.S. and Spain. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-whales-transferred-to-us-aquariums-ending-canadian-captivity ### 2026-08-26: Beluga whale Peekachu dies at Chicago aquarium after Canadian rescue A 23-year-old beluga whale named Peekachu has died at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium shortly after being rescued from the shuttered Marineland park in Canada. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beluga-whale-peekachu-dies-at-chicagos-shedd-aquarium ### 2026-08-26: Marineland marine mammals relocated to Spain as beluga dies in Chicago Six marine mammals from Canada's Marineland, including two belugas and four dolphins, have arrived at Spain's Oceanogràfic. Meanwhile, a relocated beluga died in Chicago due to dehydration. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-relocates-final-dolphins-and-whales-to-spain ### 2026-08-24: Marineland marine mammals relocated to Spain and the US Marine mammals from the closed Marineland in Canada are being relocated to aquariums in Spain and the United States to prevent euthanasia following the park's financial collapse. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-marine-mammals-relocated-to-spain-and-the-us ### 2026-08-22: Beluga whales arrive at SeaWorld San Diego from shuttered Marineland Three beluga whales from the shuttered Marineland of Canada have arrived at SeaWorld San Diego as part of a multinational effort to relocate 30 whales facing uncertain futures due to the park's closure. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beluga-whales-arrive-at-seaworld-san-diego-from-shuttered-marineland ### 2026-08-18: Marineland Canada begins evacuation of 34 cetaceans to US and Spain A rescue operation is underway to relocate 34 cetaceans from Marineland in Ontario, Canada, to facilities in the US and Spain to prevent mass euthanasia following the aquarium's closure. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-canada-begins-evacuation-of-34-cetaceans-to-us-and-spain ### 2026-08-14: Shedd Aquarium receives four more belugas from Canadian Marineland Four beluga whales have arrived at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium from the shuttered Marineland in Canada as part of an unprecedented international rescue mission. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shedd-aquarium-receives-four-more-belugas-from-canadian-marineland ### 2026-08-12: Marineland begins third batch of whale transfers to U.S. aquariums Marineland has transferred a third batch of six beluga whales to U.S. aquariums in Chicago and Atlanta as part of an international relocation effort following the park's closure. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-begins-transferring-whales-to-international-aquariums ### 2026-08-10: SeaWorld San Antonio receives seven rescued beluga whales Seven rescued female beluga whales from Marineland Canada have arrived at SeaWorld San Antonio, part of a large-scale international effort to relocate the pod following the Canadian park's closure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seaworld-san-antonio-receives-seven-rescued-beluga-whales ### 2026-08-04: Marineland moves belugas to U.S. aquariums as park closes Marineland in Niagara Falls is relocating its remaining belugas to U.S. and Spanish aquariums, ending Canada’s captive whale program. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-moves-belugas-to-us-aquariums-as-park-closes ### 2026-07-25: 30 Beluga Whales Relocated from Ontario's Marineland to US and Spain Thirty beluga whales from Ontario's closed Marineland are being rescued and relocated to U.S. aquariums and Spain after Canadian and U.S. authorities approved a multi‑stage transfer, averting earlier euthanasia 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/30-beluga-whales-relocated-from-ontarios-marineland-to-us-and-spain ### 2026-07-23: Marineland Antibes dolphins moved to a Spanish park Eight dolphins from France’s Marineland Antibes were safely flown to Selwo Marina near Malaga, Spain, after the park’s closure, sparking criticism from animal‑rights groups. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-dolphins-begin-transfer-to-malaga-zoo-in-spain ### 2026-07-22: Beluga whales from Canada’s Marineland arrive at U.S. aquariums Six beluga whales from the shuttered Marineland park in Ontario have been moved to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and SeaWorld San Antonio, beginning a multi‑facility relocation plan. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beluga-whales-from-closed-canadian-marineland-relocated-to-us-aquariums ### 2026-07-20: Six Marineland beluga whales relocated to U.S. aquariums Six belugas from Canada’s closed Marineland were lifted, trucked and flown to U.S. aquariums, marking the first phase of a large rescue after a blocked China export and euthanasia threat. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marineland-transfers-six-beluga-whales-to-us-aquariums ### 2026-07-15: 30 beluga whales rescued from Canada's Marineland to U.S. aquariums and Valencia U.S. officials approved an emergency rescue of 30 beluga whales from the closed Marineland in Canada, moving 28 to U.S. aquariums and two to Valencia, Spain, to avoid euthanasia. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seaworld-joins-international-effort-to-relocate-30-beluga-whales-from-canada ### 2026-07-12: Beluga whales moved from Canada's Marineland to U.S. and Spanish aquariums About 30 beluga whales trapped at the closed Marineland park in Ontario will be transferred to four U.S. aquariums and a Spanish facility after NOAA approved an emergency rescue plan. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beluga-whales-moved-from-canadas-marineland-to-us-and-spanish-aquariums ### 2026-07-08: Beluga whales from Marineland Canada to be moved to U.S. aquariums 30 beluga whales from the closed Marineland Canada are being transferred to U.S. aquariums, including SeaWorld Texas, SeaWorld California, the Shedd and Georgia Aquariums, with two headed to Spain; officials警告搬 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beluga-whales-from-marineland-canada-to-be-moved-to-us-aquariums ### 2026-06-12: Canada approves transfer of captive beluga whales to US parks and Spain's Oceanogràfic Canada approved moving 30 belugas and four dolphins from Ontario's Marineland to US parks and Spain's Oceanogràfic to prevent their sacrifice after the aquarium's closure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-approves-transfer-of-captive-beluga-whales-to-us-parks-and-spains-oceanogrfic ### 2026-06-03: Canada backs plan to relocate Marineland belugas to US and Spain Canada approved a plan to relocate Marineland’s remaining belugas and dolphins to U.S. and Spanish aquariums, issuing permits and coordinating agencies, but funding is still undecided. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-backs-plan-to-relocate-marineland-belugas-to-us-and-spain ### 2026-05-19: Orcas Wikie and Keijo to be moved from France's Marineland to Spain's Loro Parque France approves moving orcas Wikie and Keijo from Marineland to Spain's Loro Parque, sparking legal challenges over animal welfare. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orcas-wikie-and-keijo-to-be-moved-from-frances-marineland-to-spains-loro-parque ### 2026-05-15: France approves transfer of Antibes orcas to Spain's Loro Parque zoo France will move the two captive orcas from closed Marineland Antibes to Spain’s Loro Parque zoo, rejecting a Nova Scotia sanctuary plan. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-government-approves-transfer-of-marineland-orcas-to-tenerife --- Cite as: Marineland completes final transfer of Canada's last whales. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/france-authorizes-transfer-of-antibes-orcas-to-spains-loro-parque-zoo