Marineland belugas are still dying. A month after Marineland Canada's belugas and dolphins were moved to aquariums in the United States and Spain, five of them are dead. Osiris, a 26-year-old female beluga, died September 21 at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, the third Marineland transfer to die there after Peekachu and Rain. In Spain, the beluga Jelly Bean died at Oceanogràfic València on September 17, and Echo, a blind dolphin around 30 years old, died there overnight on September 23. Shedd also lost Beethoven, a longtime resident who didn't come from Marineland, bringing it to four beluga deaths in under a month.
Andrew breaks down how these animals got here. Marineland closed to the public in 2024 after years of financial trouble and welfare criticism, then threatened to euthanize its 30 belugas and four dolphins unless it found funding or new homes. Canada's 2019 law bans breeding and shows for whales and dolphins, so Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson refused an export to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, and a sea sanctuary in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia wasn't ready. The animals went to aquariums in the U.S. and Spain instead. Shedd's first necropsy findings show chronic gastrointestinal disease in Peekachu and Rain that likely started months or years before they arrived.
Andrew also looks at the sea sanctuary debate. Dr. Naomi Rose and Dr. Lori Marino of the Whale Sanctuary Project question how the transfers were handled. Dr. Jason Bruck argues sea sanctuaries haven't proven themselves yet, and Andrew notes Bruck's ties to the marine park industry. Andrew doesn't blame the staff and vets caring for these animals now. He does think Marineland Canada should be held accountable, and says so as his own opinion. Tell us in the comments: where should these animals have gone?
Correction: In the clip, Andrew says six Marineland animals have died, including a beluga named Cleopatra. Cleopatra is alive at Oceanogràfic València. The confirmed count is five Marineland animals, plus Beethoven at Shedd.
Chapters:
0:56 A Month After the Rescue, More Animals Have Died
6:17 How Marineland Got Here
11:15 Born in Captivity, They Only Know Captivity
16:36 Should Marineland Have Been Fined?
21:45 Both Sides of the Sanctuary Debate
Takeaways:
Five animals from Marineland Canada have died since the transfers: Peekachu, Rain and Osiris at Shedd Aquarium, and Jelly Bean and Echo at Oceanogràfic València.
Shedd also lost Beethoven, a 34-year-old resident beluga, making four beluga deaths there in under a month.
Shedd's first necropsy findings show chronic gastrointestinal inflammation in Peekachu and Rain, likely present before transfer, with dehydration as a possible contributor.
Marineland threatened to euthanize its 30 belugas and four dolphins after closing to the public in 2024, which is where the "rescue" framing came from.
Canada banned breeding and shows for captive whales and dolphins in 2019. The fisheries minister refused an export to China for that reason and approved the U.S. and Spain transfers.
Some receiving facilities allow breeding and public performances, which sits awkwardly with the word "rescue."
Sea sanctuaries are debated. Advocates want them, and critics say they haven't proven themselves yet. Both sides have affiliations worth knowing.
Andrew's view: receiving staff are doing their best, and Marineland Canada should be held accountable.
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