Full Breakdown
Third Beluga Whale Dies After Marineland Relocation to Spain
By Drooid · · How we work
The Fatal Outcome of the Relocation
A 19-year-old beluga named Jelly Bean died “suddenly and unexpectedly” less than a month after arriving at Oceanogràfic de València. The Spanish aquarium reported that the whale had shown feeding difficulties in the days before her death and was placed under round-the-clock monitoring. Oceanogràfic said a necropsy will be performed in partnership with the pathology team at CEU Cardenal Herrera University to investigate the factors that may have contributed to the loss. At the time of reporting, the cause of death could not be determined.
Background to the Mass Transfer
Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed after a federal ban in 2019 prohibited breeding, performances and new captivity of cetaceans, while grandfathering in the park’s existing animals. The ban, combined with financial strain, led the park to announce that it would euthanize its whales unless they could be moved. In response, a consortium of five aquariums—SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and Oceanogràfic in Valencia—agreed to receive the 30 belugas and four bottlenose dolphins. The transfer took place over six weeks in late August, with the two belugas destined for Spain and the remaining animals distributed among the U.S. facilities.
Data on the Transfer and Mortality
- 30 belugas were housed at Marineland before its closure.
- 19 belugas and the park’s sole killer whale, Kiska, died at Marineland between 2019 and 2025.
- After the relocation, three belugas (Rain, Peekachu, and resident Beethoven at Shedd) died within weeks of arrival, and two additional belugas (Blue at Shedd and Sasha at SeaWorld San Antonio) also died.
- Jelly Bean is the third beluga to die after the recent move; the other beluga transferred to Oceanogràfic, Cleopatra, remains alive, as do the four dolphins.
Official Statements & Responses
Oceanogràfic released a statement noting the sudden death, the prior feeding issues, and the ongoing necropsy effort. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson expressed sadness over the loss and affirmed that the Canadian government had taken “reasonable steps” to ensure a safe rescue, including issuing CITES permits and Fisheries Act authorizations after individual health assessments. Marineland’s statement conveyed deep sorrow for Jelly Bean’s passing and extended thoughts to the staff who cared for her daily.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In recent days, Jelly Bean had experienced feeding difficulties, prompting the veterinary team to intensify her monitoring,” — Oceanografic
- “At this time, it is not possible to determine the cause of death,” — Oceanografic
- “We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jelly Bean,” — Two Marineland
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Oceanogràfic stated that the cause of death could not yet be determined, while Marineland maintained that its whales were healthy at the time of departure. The investigation into Jelly Bean’s death remains open, and no definitive medical explanation has been released.
What’s Next
The necropsy planned with CEU Cardenal Herrera University will aim to identify any health issues that contributed to Jelly Bean’s demise, providing data that could inform future translocation protocols for large marine mammals.