Six beluga whales have been moved from Canada’s closed Marineland to aquariums in the United States in the first major rescue operation to relocate 30 whales left behind after the controversial marine park shut down.The whales were transported in specially designed cold-water containers by truck and cargo aircraft under the supervision of marine mammal veterinarians. Four whales, Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet, were moved to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, while Bertie Botts and Frankie were relocated to SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas.“The belugas, ranging in age from 6 to about 40, have been receiving top-notch care and are all in great condition,” said Eric Otjen, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Diego.The relocation followed months of veterinary assessments, transport training and regulatory approvals by Canadian and US authorities.Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, shut down in September 2024 following years of controversy and allegations of animal abuse, leaving 30 beluga whales at the facility. Their care was initially funded through donations, but as funds dwindled, caretakers warned that euthanasia could become a possibility and appealed to the Canadian government in October 2025 for financial assistance to feed the animals.“The teams will be looking for behaviours such as foraging, exploring, eating and socialising, which are all indicators that the belugas are doing well,” said Karisa Tang, lead veterinarian and vice president of animal health at Shedd Aquarium.The remaining 24 belugas are scheduled to be relocated over the coming months to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, SeaWorld San Diego and Oceanogràfic Valencia in Spain.