One of the beluga whales, transported from Niagara Falls, Ont. via truck and plane, arrives in San Antonio this week. Photo: SeaWorld<\/p>\n
A new video shows the highly coordinated effort needed to transport seven beluga whales through Toronto Pearson Airport.<\/p>\n
The whales were moved from Marineland, which closed in 2024<\/a> as it looks to sell its sprawling property in Niagara Falls. The park has said it is running out of money and can no longer care for the whales.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Marineland said it had begun the second phase of its whale relocation plan, just weeks after successfully transferring six belugas to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and SeaWorld in San Antonio.<\/p>\n The whales shipped Monday \u2014 female belugas named Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva and Calypso \u2014 were all going to SeaWorld\u2019s San Antonio location.<\/p>\n Today, Pearson Airport officials shared a video, shot on Monday, Aug. 3, of the \u201ccarefully coordinated journey\u201d moving the whales through Canada\u2019s largest airport.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trucks arrive at Toronto Pearson carrying seven beluga whales, each safely secured in a specialized, temperature-controlled transport units,\u201d the post reads. \u201cOne by one, the transport units are carefully transferred onto a high-loader before being gently lifted into a dedicated cargo aircraft.\u201d<\/p>\n One of Marineland\u2019s advisers has called the transport <\/a>of the whales \u2014 a process involving custom slings, dozens of people and ongoing international collaboration \u2014 \u201cunprecedented.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery movement is meticulously choreographed, with veterinarians and animal care specialists monitoring the whales throughout the journey to ensure their well-being,\u201d the airport said.<\/p>\n From wheels down to wheels up, Toronto Pearson\u2019s teams worked alongside partners to support the \u201cextraordinary international rescue mission,\u201d coordinated by Intradco Global on behalf of a collective of AZA-accredited aquariums, the airport said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re proud to have played a role in the rescue of these remarkable animals,\u201d Pearson officials said.<\/p>\n It appears the move went well.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, SeaWorld said the San Antonio location<\/a> welcomed the seven additional rescued beluga whales.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are so happy that all went well and the second and largest transport of this huge rescue effort is complete,\u201d SeaWorld said. \u201cAll seven female belugas are receiving veterinary care, nutrition and attention as they acclimate to their new environment.\u201d<\/p>\n The whales were moved in specialized, water-filled transport units by truck and plane from the park in Niagara Falls, SeaWorld said.<\/p>\n \u201cCaretakers are letting each whale adjust at her own pace, watching closely for signs that they are eating well, resting comfortably, and beginning to interact with one another and their new surroundings,\u201d the park officials said. \u201cA big thank you to all of the veterinarian, animal care specialists and logistics coordinators who helped make this huge move successful!\u201d<\/p>\n What does it take to safely fly seven beluga whales across North America?<\/p>\n A carefully coordinated journey moving through Canada\u2019s largest airport.<\/p>\n The trucks arrive at Toronto Pearson carrying seven beluga whales, each safely secured in a specialized, temperature-controlled\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/gYbl9IxAw5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) August 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n With files from the Canadian Press<\/p>\n