Peekachu, a beluga that had recently been transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, has passed away, the Shedd Aquarium announced on Wednesday. On the same day, two other belugas and four dolphins were being moved to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga, part of a group of eight belugas that were airlifted to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium. She was blind in one eye and smaller in size compared to the other whales but managed well in her new environment.
Initially showing signs of improvement by consuming squid, herring, and capelin, Peekachu later experienced a decline in appetite and was found to be dehydrated following a blood test. Despite efforts to provide medical treatment and fluids, Peekachu unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday evening. A necropsy is currently being performed to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sorrow over Peekachu’s death but assured that the remaining whales in their care at Shedd were receiving top-notch treatment. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended condolences, acknowledging the challenging circumstances faced by those caring for the animals.
Meanwhile, four dolphins from Marineland, namely Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, departed for a new residence in Spain, marking the last of Canada’s captive dolphins. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, noted the distressing but anticipated nature of Peekachu’s demise, citing longstanding health issues among the belugas.
Mitchell criticized the rushed relocation of the animals, emphasizing the need for better care and monitoring before transport. She highlighted previous deaths among the belugas exported to the U.S. and raised concerns about the well-being of the remaining animals destined for the U.S.
The six belugas still housed at Marineland are expected to be relocated to a U.S. aquarium soon, concluding the transfer of all animals from the facility. Marineland’s financial constraints and the prohibition on whale and dolphin captivity in Canada prompted the relocation efforts, which initially included plans to send the animals to China.
Following the rejection of the China transfer by Ottawa, Marineland sought assistance from American and Spanish aquariums. The belugas have since been dispersed to various SeaWorld locations and the Georgia Aquarium. The park’s dire financial situation led to the urgent need for external support to ensure the well-being of the remaining marine mammals.
[Link to Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/marineland-final-dolphins-leave-beluga-dies-9.7321126)
