Peekachu, a beluga that was recently transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has 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 relocated to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga, part of a group of eight belugas moved to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium due to her participation in an ongoing international rescue operation that commenced a month prior.
According to a blog post, Peekachu, who was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales, managed to socialize and navigate her new environment despite potential challenges. Initially displaying positive signs by consuming squid, herring, and capelin, Peekachu’s health deteriorated, leading to dehydration as indicated by a blood test.
Efforts to administer medication and fluids to Peekachu were underway on Tuesday evening when she unexpectedly passed away. A necropsy is currently being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sorrow over Peekachu’s demise but reassured that the remaining whales are being well cared for at Shedd. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson also acknowledged the loss, commending the organizations involved in the swift rescue efforts.
In a separate development, four dolphins (Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami) departed Marineland for their new home in Spain, marking the conclusion of captive dolphin operations in Canada. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, voiced concerns over the health risks associated with the relocation of belugas and dolphins from Marineland, citing previous fatalities and poor health conditions among the animals.
Mitchell criticized the handling of the situation, emphasizing the need for improved animal welfare practices and cautioning against rushed relocations. She highlighted the potential compromised health of the remaining whales slated for transfer to the United States.
The six belugas still housed at Marineland are scheduled for relocation to a U.S. aquarium, part of the park’s initiative to remove all animals from its premises due to financial constraints. Previous attempts to sell the belugas and dolphins to China were thwarted by Canadian authorities, leading to alternative arrangements with American and Spanish aquariums.
The evolving situation underscores the complex challenges surrounding captive marine mammal management and the ongoing efforts to ensure the well-being of these animals during transitions to new environments.
