Behind heavy black privacy curtains at Shedd Aquarium, four newly arrived female beluga whales — Acadia, Sierra, Osiris and Lillooet — are spending their first week adjusting to the 3-million-gallon Abbott Oceanarium. The inseparable "sub-pod" was flown in overnight from the shuttered Marineland of Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in an operation involving custom slings, transport trucks and a cargo plane.

The rescue is the first phase of an international effort to rehome all 30 belugas left behind at the defunct Canadian park. While accredited facilities across the U.S. and Spain prepare to take in the remaining whales, as reported by the New York Times, the Shedd has committed to permanently housing up to 10 of them.

Round-the-clock care

The Shedd has blocked off sections of its public viewing suites, asking staff and visitors for quiet while a dedicated animal care and veterinary team runs 24-hour observation shifts to track energy levels, behavior and hydration.

"We are cautiously optimistic about their transition so far," said Dr. Karisa Tang, Shedd Aquarium's vice president of animal health, in an interview with Chicago Star. "This is a day-by-day process, following the pace of the animals. Our top priority is their safety, care and well-being during this acclimation period and throughout their lifelong care."

Caretakers gathered measurements, weights and blood work upon arrival and now track how the whales interact with their surroundings, who they bond with and how much they eat, including dozens of pounds of capelin and herring daily.

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Meeting the resident pod

According to experts, because belugas rely on group structures for security, arriving as a pre-bonded unit has given the four whales an emotional anchor. Trainers are using positive reinforcement techniques and watching for signs of comfort such as synchronous swimming and playful curiosity.

The Abbott Oceanarium's six interconnected habitats let caretakers keep the newcomers separate from Shedd's eight resident belugas while allowing underwater vocal contact. Charlie Jacobsma, Shedd's director of animal behavior and training, said early signs are encouraging. "All four of the rescued belugas are curious about their new environment," Jacobsma told Chicago Star. "The whales are exploring the habitat, socializing with one another and foraging for food… A few of the resident belugas and rescued belugas have officially met, which is an important milestone."

Trainers studied years of records on both pods before planning introductions, and the whales are settling in faster than expected.

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A vision for the future of public understanding

While the care team is letting the whales dictate the exact timeline before lowering the privacy curtains for the public—a gradual process expected to take the next three to four months—local families can still follow the rescue closely from home.

Looking ahead, this historic milestone does more than just secure a peaceful future for these four whales; it fundamentally shapes the future of marine science and public awareness. Belugas are famously known as the "canaries of the sea" because of their constant, highly expressive vocalizations. Because studying them in frozen, wild habitats is notoriously difficult, having them thrive in Chicago allows scientists to gather vital data to protect wild populations.

As millions of future aquarium visitors eventually connect with Acadia, Sierra, Osiris, and Lillooet, their story will bridge the gap between the public and ocean conservation—turning a historic international rescue into a living symbol of survival, second chances, and the enduring power of community compassion right here in the heart of Chicago.

How to follow their journey 

You can view verified behind-the-scenes footage of the relocation directly through the Shedd Aquarium Press Room or track ongoing updates on the Shedd’s role in the international effort to relocate all 30 whales by visiting the official Shedd Beluga Care Hub.