Peekachu, a beluga whale formerly housed at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as confirmed by the facility on Wednesday. Concurrently, two other belugas and four dolphins were in the process of being relocated to Spain. The 23-year-old female beluga was a part of a group of eight belugas transferred to Shedd two weeks prior, marking a significant step in an international rescue initiative that commenced a month ago.
Described as “unique” by the aquarium, Peekachu was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales. Nevertheless, the beluga demonstrated remarkable adaptability in socializing and navigating her new environment. Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu’s health deteriorated when she began to exhibit poor eating habits, leading to a diagnosis of dehydration through a blood test.
Despite efforts to administer treatment and fluids on Tuesday evening, Peekachu unexpectedly passed away. A necropsy is currently underway to determine the exact cause of death. Marineland expressed sorrow over the loss but assured that the remaining whales under their care at Shedd are receiving optimal treatment.
Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson conveyed her condolences, acknowledging the challenging news of Peekachu’s demise. She commended the swift action taken by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in facilitating the relocation process to ensure the animals are given a fresh start in life.
In a parallel development, four dolphins named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami departed Marineland for their new home in Spain, marking the culmination of Canada’s captive dolphin population. The legal advocacy director for Animal Justice, Kaitlyn Mitchell, expressed a mix of devastation and inevitability regarding Peekachu’s passing, attributing it to the long-standing health issues faced by the belugas.
Mitchell highlighted the precarious health conditions of the belugas, emphasizing the risks associated with their relocation to sanctuaries. She criticized the decision to transport the animals while they were still in compromised health states, suggesting that a more cautious approach could have been taken to ensure their well-being.
The remaining six belugas at Marineland, the last captive whales in Canada, are slated to be relocated to a U.S. aquarium as part of the park’s comprehensive plan to transfer all its animals off-site due to financial constraints. Initially intended for transfer to an aquarium in China, the belugas and dolphins faced a change of plans following regulatory hurdles, leading to collaborative arrangements with American and Spanish aquariums for their relocation.
