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Sierra, Bertie Botts, Acadia and Frankie were among six whales rescued from the theme park<\/p>\n
Credit: CBC<\/p>\n
Six Beluga whales have been rescued from a closed down theme park in Canada.<\/p>\n
The whales were rescued from Marineland, a theme park and zoo in Niagara Falls, which permanently shut in 2024.<\/p>\n
The marine mammals were pictured being airlifted to safety as they prepare to embark on their journey to other aquariums.<\/p>\n
They are the first group of at least 30 whales that will be evacuated.<\/p>\n
Aquarium experts work to remove Bertie Botts the beluga whale out of the Marineland enclosure. Credit: The Canadian Press<\/p>\n
Beluga whales are one of the smallest whale species. However, they can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh up to 1,600kg, meaning they are not the easiest of animals to transport.<\/p>\n
Cranes, hoists and dozens of staff from Marineland and US aquariums helped to carefully carry them out of their pool into individual water tanks, which were then loaded onto trucks.<\/p>\n
CBC reports that The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) plans to send the whales to either Oceanogr\u00e0fic Val\u00e8ncia in Spain or Georgia Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium and two SeaWorld centres in the US.<\/p>\n
Frankie the beluga whale was carefully airlifted into his transportation tank. Credit: The Canadian Press<\/p>\n
Marineland closed to the public in 2024, after CBC reported there had been multiple whale deaths at the park.<\/p>\n
The animals were threatened with euthanasia after the government blocked them from being sent to China.<\/p>\n
Now the belugas are being saved and shipped overseas to different aquariums.<\/p>\n