Five beluga deaths raise concerns over Canada’s relocated whales
The closure of Marineland near Niagara Falls led to the largest transfer of captive whales ever, after Canada rejected the park’s plan to sell its belugas to China and the animals faced possible euthanasia. All 30 belugas and four dolphins were moved to aquariums in North America and Spain, but the deaths of five belugas and one dolphin have raised concerns about their welfare.
The deaths include four Marineland belugas and one long-term resident at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, plus a beluga and a dolphin at Oceanogràfic València. Examinations found chronic illness in some whales and objects in two belugas’ stomachs that Shedd believes they swallowed before the move; the dolphin had serious vision and other health problems. Experts say it is too early to judge the transfers, noting that about 20 whales died at Marineland between 2019 and September 2025, while many captive-raised cetaceans lack the skills to survive in the wild.
- Five of 30 rescued belugas have died, along with one dolphin.
- The animals were moved from closed Marineland to aquariums in five locations.
- Experts say it is too early to assess the transfers.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Moving the belugas offered a way to avoid possible euthanasia after Marineland closed, and placing them in established aquariums may provide continued care that whales raised in captivity could not obtain in the wild. Some deaths were linked to chronic illness or health problems, and experts say it is too early to assess the transfers; deaths had also occurred at Marineland before the move.
The case against
The deaths of five belugas and a dolphin after relocation raise legitimate concerns about whether the moves and new environments added stress or otherwise harmed the animals. The objects found in two belugas’ stomachs, which Shedd believes they swallowed before the transfer, also underline how difficult it is to establish their condition and welfare across a complex relocation.
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Originally published by BBC World as “The uncertain future of Canada’s 30 rescued belugas”.