Peekachu, a beluga whale that had recently been transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as reported by the facility on Wednesday. This unfortunate event occurred on the same day that two other belugas and four dolphins were being relocated to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga, one of a group of eight belugas that were flown to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium due to her participation in an ongoing international rescue operation that began a month ago.
Despite facing challenges such as being blind in one eye and being one of the smaller whales, Peekachu was able to adapt well to her new environment and socialize effectively, according to a blog post. Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu’s health deteriorated when she started to refuse food, leading to a diagnosis of dehydration through a blood test. Tragically, Peekachu passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening while receiving medical attention, and a necropsy is currently being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sadness over the loss of Peekachu but assured that the remaining whales under their care at Shedd are receiving optimal treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson also conveyed her condolences, acknowledging the challenging circumstances faced by those caring for the animals involved in the relocation process.
In a separate development, four dolphins named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami departed Marineland for their new home in Spain, marking the final chapter for captive dolphins in Canada. The dolphins, along with belugas Cleopatra and Jelly Bean, were carefully loaded into transport trucks bound for Toronto’s Pearson International Airport en route to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.
Kaitlyn Mitchell, the legal advocacy director for Animal Justice, expressed both devastation and concern over Peekachu’s death, citing long-standing health issues among the belugas from Marineland. Mitchell highlighted the potential risks associated with moving unhealthy animals and criticized the process, pointing out previous deaths among exported belugas. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing animal welfare and providing proper care before undertaking relocations.
The six remaining belugas at Marineland, the last captive whales in Canada, are scheduled to be transferred to a U.S. aquarium as part of the ongoing efforts to relocate all animals from the facility. With financial constraints prompting Marineland to seek alternative arrangements for its marine mammals, the park’s decision to collaborate with American and Spanish aquariums has led to various relocations, including to SeaWorld and the Georgia Aquarium.
Despite earlier attempts to sell the belugas and dolphins to a Chinese aquarium, regulatory obstacles and ethical concerns led to a shift in plans, ultimately resulting in the current relocation initiatives. The complex process of moving these marine animals involves multiple stakeholders and requires careful coordination to ensure their well-being throughout the transition period.