Twenty-eight beluga whales are slated for relocation from a defunct Canadian theme park to aquariums throughout the United States, following federal approval of an emergency import earlier this month. This international rescue effort aims to provide the animals with necessary medical treatment and care.
Marineland, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed its doors to the public in 2024. The park has stated it lacks the resources to continue caring for the beluga whales, indicating that without a relocation plan or additional funding, the animals would face euthanasia. This situation prompted the emergency import approval.
The whales will be transported to accredited aquariums including SeaWorld San Antonio and San Diego, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Two additional whales are destined for Oceanografic Valencia in Spain, pending the necessary permits from the Spanish government. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued the relocation permit in July, emphasizing that no other facilities in Canada can provide the required husbandry or medical care.
The rescue operation is expected to take several weeks to complete, with a primary focus on the comfort and safety of the whales. This initiative comes after Marineland faced scrutiny regarding its animal welfare practices, with 20 whales having died at the park since 2019, according to reports.
In January, Canada's Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson conditionally approved the proposal to move the whales to the U.S. Final export authorization from the Canadian government will be granted after veterinarians conduct health checks on each animal, as stated in a July 16, 2026 / 8:57 PM EDT declaration from Thompson.
