Shedd Aquarium Welcomes Four Beluga Whales from Canada in Rescue Effort
Four beluga whales have safely arrived at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as part of an international rescue operation. This initiative aims to relocate 30 belugas from Marineland of Canada, a closed marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The whales were transported by truck and a Boeing 777 airliner. Currently, the public cannot view the whales as they are in a quarantine space being monitored by experts. The Shedd Aquarium plans to eventually house 10 of these belugas, adding to its existing population of eight. The rescued whales, all females named Acadia, Osiris, Sierra, and Lillooet, were chosen for their preexisting bonds and are aged between 21 and 27 years. This effort is a response to threats of euthanasia by Marineland's caretakers. SeaWorld San Antonio has also participated in the relocation, rehoming two belugas.