Full Breakdown
Four More Beluga Whales Arrive at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium in Ongoing Rescue
8/15/2026, 2:10:03 AM
Arrival of the Second Batch
In mid-August, four rescued beluga whales—Caspian, Peekachu, Rain and Secord—were delivered to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The females, 20 to 27 years old, traveled from Marineland of Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario. After being placed in custom-built slings and temperature-controlled containers, they were escorted by police to Toronto’s Pearson Airport, flown aboard a cargo plane, and unloaded at the aquarium’s 11.3-million-litre Abbott Oceanarium.
Background & Context
Marineland closed to the public in 2024 and said it could no longer afford to care for its marine mammals. The park housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive whales and dolphins in Canada. After a proposed sale of the belugas to a Chinese aquarium was blocked, Marineland warned it would euthanize the whales without emergency federal funding. The federal government approved a rescue consortium of American and Spanish aquariums, launching a multi-phase relocation effort described by the park as “unprecedented.”
The first phase, on July 20, moved six belugas to Shedd and SeaWorld San Antonio. A second group of seven belugas followed weeks later to San Antonio. The recent arrival represents the third batch and brings the total number of belugas at Shedd to eight, with capacity for ten.
Timeline
- July 20 – First transfer of six belugas to Shedd and SeaWorld San Antonio.
- July 21 – Planned arrival of four female belugas (Caspian, Peekachu, Rain, Secord).
- Mid-August – Second batch of four females arrives at Shedd.
Data & Statistics
- Original population at Marineland: 30 belugas + 4 dolphins.
- Provincial data indicate 20 whales (19 belugas, 1 killer whale) have died at Marineland since 2019.
- After the latest move, 11 belugas remain at Marineland; the park says two-thirds of the animals will be safely rehoused.
- Shedd’s beluga population has doubled to eight and could reach ten.
- The rescue operation is projected to cost “millions of dollars,” funded primarily by the receiving aquariums and Marineland’s savings.
Official Statements & Responses
He noted that familiar social bonds boost confidence, so the new arrivals will be reunited with the four belugas rescued in July.
Dr. Karisa Tang, the aquarium’s lead veterinarian, said the whales are adapting “day by day,” with caretakers tracking food intake, swimming patterns and signs of soreness.
Spokesman Johnny Ford explained that the cost will not be passed on to visitors and that the aquarium is using its own savings.
Marineland adviser Andrew Burns asserted that “all its available funds were committed to this move” and called the progress “exceptionally well,” adding that the park hopes to complete all transfers by the end of August.
On-the-Ground Reports
Police escorted the convoy of trucks carrying the whales to Toronto’s airport on Thursday morning. Once in Chicago, staff used a series of gates to allow the new arrivals to interact with the resident belugas while keeping them out of public view as they settle.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of belugas remaining at Marineland after the latest shipment—some reports state 11, others suggest 8. No public timeline has been provided for when the remaining whales will be moved or whether any will be displayed to visitors at Shedd.
What’s Next
Shedd plans to rescue up to two additional belugas from Marineland, pending health assessments. Marineland has indicated that all remaining whales are expected to be relocated by the end of August, with some destined for the Georgia Aquarium, SeaWorld San Antonio, and facilities in Spain and California.
