Twenty whales have died at Marineland since 2019, data shows
A 23-year-old beluga whale named Peekachu died Tuesday at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, days after being transported hundreds of miles from Ontario’s shuttered Marineland park as part of an ongoing effort to relocate Canada’s last captive whales.
Shedd said in a news release that Peekachu died suddenly as caretakers tried to rehydrate her. The aquarium did not immediately disclose further details on the cause of death.
Peekachu was one of eight belugas moved from Marineland to Shedd this summer — four in July, and four more this month, the aquarium said.
Marineland, an Ontario park, closed its doors in 2024, setting off a race to find new homes for its 30 beluga whales and four dolphins before they would be euthanized.
The Canadian government finally approved a plan in January to export the whales to Shedd Aquarium and four other marine parks. The transfers have proceeded in stages, with the first four belugas arriving at Shedd in July and a second batch arriving this month.
According to provincial government data obtained through freedom-of-information laws and official statements, 20 whales — 19 belugas and one killer whale — have died at Marineland since 2019.
The death of Peekachu was reported by Cybele Mayes-Osterman of The Associated Press.