Peekachu, a female beluga previously residing at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as announced by the facility on Wednesday. Concurrently, two other belugas and four dolphins were in the process of being transported to Spain.
The 23-year-old beluga, part of a group of eight belugas that had been flown to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium due to an ongoing international rescue mission initiated a month ago. Despite being blind in one eye and smaller in size, Peekachu displayed remarkable adaptability in her new environment.
Initially showing positive signs of acclimation by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu later experienced a decline in appetite, leading to a diagnosis of dehydration through a blood test. Despite efforts to administer medical care and fluids on Tuesday evening, Peekachu unexpectedly passed away. A necropsy is currently underway to determine the cause of death.
While expressing sorrow over Peekachu’s demise, Marineland emphasized that the remaining whales in their care at Shedd are receiving optimal treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson conveyed her condolences, acknowledging the challenging circumstances surrounding the animals’ relocation.
In a separate development, four dolphins (Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami) departed Marineland bound for Oceanografic Valencia in Spain, marking the end of captive dolphins in Canada. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, lamented Peekachu’s death, attributing it to prolonged health issues among the belugas and the inherent risks associated with their relocation.
Mitchell highlighted previous instances where belugas from Marineland did not survive relocation attempts, underscoring the need for improved animal welfare practices. She criticized the rushed approach to moving the animals, advocating for better care before transportation and scrutiny of their health conditions.
The remaining six belugas at Marineland, the last captive whales in Canada, are slated for transfer to a U.S. aquarium, alongside other belugas and dolphins as part of Marineland’s comprehensive relocation plan. The park’s financial constraints and the ban on whale and dolphin captivity in Canada prompted the shift in destination, with American and Spanish aquariums stepping in to assist.
Initially intended for transfer to China, the belugas and dolphins faced regulatory hurdles, leading to a revised relocation strategy with various American aquarium partners. Despite the challenges, efforts are ongoing to ensure the welfare of the marine animals throughout the relocation process.