Beluga whale dies at Chicago aquarium days after coming from Canada park in rescue effort

Key Points:

• Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga whale transported from Marineland in Ontario to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, died suddenly days after arrival while caretakers attempted to rehydrate her.
• The relocation is part of a broader effort to rescue Canada’s last captive whales following Marineland’s 2024 closure, which required finding new homes for 30 belugas and four dolphins to avoid euthanasia.
• Since 2019, 20 whales, including 19 belugas and one killer whale, have died at Marineland, highlighting ongoing concerns about the conditions at the park.
• The whales were transported in custom-made slings and temperature-controlled containers, with close health monitoring upon arrival, but Peekachu faced challenges including blindness in one eye and difficulty socializing.
• Other Marineland whales are being relocated to facilities including Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld parks in San Antonio and San Diego, and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain, as part of the rescue plan approved by the Canadian government.