Story perspectives

Marineland Transfers Four Belugas to Shedd Aquarium

8/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Marineland moved six beluga whales on Aug. 12, sending four to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and two to Georgia Aquarium.
Whales were placed in slings, escorted to Toronto Pearson Airport, and flown after a tail-cut was treated.
Andrew Burns called the transfers “exceptionally well,” noting the park’s beluga count fell to 11 from 30, while Shedd director Charlie Jacobsma said staff will monitor the four females in the 11.3-million-litre Abbott Oceanarium.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 SeaWorld Orlando received Tilikum, an orca captured in Iceland in 1983 and previously held at Canada’s Sealand of the Pacific. Featured in the 2013 documentary Blackfish, he sired 21 captive calves; he was involved in three of the four recorded fatal orca attacks in captivity, such as the 2010 death of trainer Dawn Brancheau.

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Story summary

Marineland moved six beluga whales on Aug. 12, sending four to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and two to Georgia Aquarium.
Whales were placed in slings, escorted to Toronto Pearson Airport, and flown after a tail-cut was treated.
Andrew Burns called the transfers “exceptionally well,” noting the park’s beluga count fell to 11 from 30, while Shedd director Charlie Jacobsma said staff will monitor the four females in the 11.3-million-litre Abbott Oceanarium.

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