Thirty beluga whales stranded at the now-closed Marineland theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, since 2024 have been given a new lifeline as plans move forward for their relocation to facilities in Spain and the United States. The animals faced euthanasia if permission to move them was not granted.
Relocation Plans and Approvals
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) authorized the move last week, but the relocation can only proceed if the whales are cleared by veterinarians. Staff from the US aquariums are expected to travel to the site soon to assess the belugas and begin planning logistics.
A spokesperson for the American aquarium consortium stated: "This rescue effort will take several weeks to mobilize and complete, and the comfort and safety of the whales remains of the utmost importance."
Destinations for the Whales
If the relocation goes ahead, the 30 whales will be distributed across five destinations. Spain's Oceanogràfic València is expected to receive two whales. The others will be taken in by SeaWorld in San Diego, SeaWorld in San Antonio, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago — venues described as offering "high-quality environments."
In a statement, the group said: "Once the belugas are cleared for travel by Canadian veterinarians, aquarium experts will accompany the animals to their new homes, where they will be met with diverse seafood to meet their nutritional needs, high-quality environments with guaranteed water quality and onsite medical care should they require it at any time."
Background on the Whales and Park Closure
Belugas are a protected species and, compared with other whales, are relatively small — typically measuring between 13 and 20 feet. They are most commonly associated with the Arctic Ocean and are viewed as sociable and curious animals, sometimes called "canaries of the sea." National Geographic notes that belugas tend to dwell together in pods and are "very vocal communicators," known for their "clicks, whistles and clangs" and ability to imitate other sounds.
The park's closure came after financial issues. Data obtained by The Canadian Press indicates that 20 whales kept at the site have passed away since 2019.
Separate Whale Rescue in Germany
In a separate case involving a stranded whale, a humpback nicknamed "Timmy" was rescued in Germany after spending roughly five weeks stuck off the country's coast. The animal became trapped on Timmendorfer Beach in Lübeck Bay in March, before a barge was brought in. Rescuers lured the whale onto a water-filled barge and transported it towards the North Sea via Denmark. Till Backhaus, environment minister for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, called the operation an "example for Germany of what can be done."
