Two rescued beluga whales arrived at SeaWorld San Antonio on Tuesday after being relocated from a defunct marine park in Canada, the park announced.
Officials said six beluga whales arrived in the United States as part of the first phase of a coordinated international rescue effort. The whales were part of a large pod of 30 belugas living at Marineland of Canada, a closed marine park that can no longer care for them. Several accredited aquariums and zoos were invited to explore rescue options for the whales earlier this year.
The belugas were transported by both truck and plane to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and SeaWorld San Antonio. Veterinarians with specializations in marine mammal medicine took care of the whales on the trip, according to a press release.
“The rescue started with the needs of the belugas,” Dr. Chris Dold, chief zoological officer at SeaWorld said in a statement. “The plan was built, as much as possible, on understanding their overall health, social bonds and multiple other factors. Our plans naturally evolved as we learned more about the whales, and we will remain adaptive and responsive to the whales’ needs as we work to complete this unprecedented rescue.”
Due to being a highly social-species, the first rescued belugas were chosen to be transported in smaller groups or sub-pods, allowing bonded belugas to make the move together.
“Seeing these first beluga whales arrive safely to their new homes is an important milestone, but it’s not the finish line,” said Steve Aibel, SeaWorld San Antonio’s vice president, animals and conservation, who accompanied the first transport. “Our team is laser focused on supporting each whale through this transition with individualized care, patience and observation to ensure their welfare. We’re optimistic about what’s ahead, while recognizing that every animal will adapt on its own timeline.”
Shedd Aquarium and SeaWorld San Antonio are now providing immediate care for the whales as they acclimate to their new environments. Officials said that while the whales arrived safely, transport of this magnitude can be difficult and the whales will be closely monitored.
“We will be looking for behaviors like foraging, exploring, eating and socializing – all indicators that the rescued belugas are doing well,” Dr. Tang said. “Our teams will be standing by to jump in at a moment’s notice, should we believe any of the belugas need more urgent attention.”
SeaWorld San Antonio is already home to several pods of beluga whales, and officials said introductions between the rescued whales and the park’s existing animals will happen gradually as they settle into their new home.
According to a press release, the aquariums and zoo will continue to coordinate on future rescue efforts for the animals that remain at Marineland. The group will take what they learned from this first transport and apply them to future moves.