Six beluga whales have been relocated from a closed Canadian marine park to new homes in the U.S., including SeaWorld in San Diego, in a major rescue effort.
SAN DIEGO — Six beluga whales rescued from a closed marine park in Canada have safely arrived at their new homes in the U.S., marking a significant step in a large international rescue effort. SeaWorld has announced it will soon welcome some of these whales to San Diego.
Described as one of the largest beluga whale relocation efforts ever attempted, this operation began with the transportation of six whales, which are the first of thirty that need to be relocated from Marineland in Canada. The whales traveled in specialized cold-water transport containers, making the journey by truck and cargo plane before being lifted into new tanks at various facilities. Vets and marine mammal specialists were present throughout the trip, monitoring the whales’ health.
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SeaWorld San Diego has confirmed it anticipates receiving up to three belugas in the near future. Other participating facilities in this relocation effort include the Georgia Aquarium and an aquarium in Spain, pending final government approvals.
Experts have ensured that the whales were moved in small groups based on their existing social bonds to minimize stress during the long journey. For now, caretakers are closely observing the belugas for signs of adjustment, including eating, exploring, and socializing, before planning further transports.
While SeaWorld San Diego has not provided specific arrival dates, the facility indicates it will receive the whales as part of the ongoing international rescue effort in the upcoming weeks and months.