A group of thirty beluga whales that were stranded at a closed theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, have been given a new opportunity for survival. The whales, facing euthanasia if they were not relocated, have been residing at Marineland since 2024. Now, plans are in place to move them to aquariums in the United States and Spain.
Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration authorized the transfer of the beluga whales, pending successful veterinary examinations. Teams from the US facilities will soon evaluate the whales and organize the relocation process.
According to a spokesperson for the American aquarium consortium, the rescue operation for the whales will require several weeks to execute, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the whales’ well-being and safety throughout the process.
Belugas, a protected species, are known for their sociable and inquisitive nature. Belugas, ranging from 13 to 20 feet in length, are commonly found in the Arctic Ocean and are sometimes referred to as the “canaries of the sea.” National Geographic highlights that beluga whales are highly vocal creatures, communicating through various sounds like clicks, whistles, and clangs, and are adept at mimicking other noises.
The theme park, which has faced financial challenges leading to its closure, has recorded the deaths of 20 whales since 2019. Five aquariums are poised to receive the beluga whales, with two heading to Oceanogràfic València in Spain and the rest being relocated to facilities in the US, including SeaWorld in San Diego and San Antonio, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The move aims to offer the whales improved living conditions in high-quality environments.
Upon clearance for travel by Canadian veterinarians, the belugas will be accompanied by aquarium experts to their new homes. These facilities will provide the whales with diverse seafood for nutrition, top-notch environments with guaranteed water quality, and immediate medical care if needed.
In a different whale-related development, a humpback whale named “Timmy,” stranded off Germany’s coast, was successfully rescued after being entangled on Timmendorfer Beach in Lübeck Bay. The whale was transported to the North Sea via Denmark on a specially designed barge. Environment minister Till Backhaus praised the rescue as a significant achievement for Germany, expressing optimism about the whale’s swift return to its natural habitat.
The rescue operation was financed by entrepreneurs Karin Walter-Mommert and Walter Gunz, with Walter-Mommert expressing immense joy and gratitude for the successful rescue mission.
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