Marineland has relocated all its remaining captive whales and dolphins to five destinations following the Canadian government’s ban on keeping captive whales in the country in 2019. The Ontario theme park’s last 30 belugas and four dolphins were sent to different locations in the U.S. and Spain in the largest ever transfer of these marine animals.
Unfortunately, four belugas and one dolphin have passed away, with the most recent death occurring on September 24 at Oceanogràfic de València in Spain. The death has raised concerns about the impact of the transfers on the animals’ health. Echo, a blind Black Sea bottlenose dolphin, was transported to Oceanogràfic and arrived with severe health issues requiring specialized care. Tragically, Echo’s health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing.
Transporting belugas is extremely stressful for them, as explained by Naomi Rose, a senior scientist specializing in marine mammal biology. She highlighted that the process is well-established but remains highly stressful for cetaceans. Valeria Vergara, a senior scientist with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, emphasized that psychological stress can affect the animals’ physical health.
Recent deaths of belugas and dolphins post-relocation have sparked investigations to determine the causes of the deaths. The facilities are closely monitoring the surviving animals. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which received 10 beluga whales, has experienced several deaths, with concerns raised about the health of other relocated whales.
SeaWorld and Georgia Aquarium, which received belugas from Marineland, reported that the animals are in stable health but require ongoing monitoring. Experts have expressed concerns about the stress and challenges faced by the relocated whales due to their social nature and the transport process.
Despite the unfortunate outcomes, experts acknowledge the complexities of rescuing captive whales and the limited options available. The Canadian government and marine experts have been involved in ensuring the safety and well-being of the relocated animals. However, concerns persist about the overall health and survival of the captive whales following the relocations.
