International rescue begins as Shedd Aquarium saves 10 belugas from closed Canadian park

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is preparing to rescue up to 10 beluga whales from a shuttered marine park in Canada, marking the start of a massive international effort to save 30 stranded whales, according to Block Club Chicago. This operation is necessary because the current caretakers of Marineland of Canada threatened to euthanize the animals after the facility closed, per the report. The park shut down in 2024 following a federal law banning the use of whales for entertainment.

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Johnny Ford, vice president of communications at Shedd, noted that the rescue remains subject to change based on the whales' health. “There are still question marks that we have about their medical history, about their condition,” Ford said, according to the Chicago Tribune’s report. The aquarium partnered with four other facilities, including the Georgia Aquarium and SeaWorld locations in San Antonio and San Diego, to share the burden, Block Club confirmed.

Complex transport and future concerns

According to Block Club, the whale transport process involves extensive veterinary exams and a specialized stretcher system that acts like a seat belt. After being lifted into a truck, the whales travel to an airport and are loaded onto a plane, often remaining conscious throughout the journey, the report noted. Veterinarians accompany the animals, carrying ice and repair kits to manage water temperature and leaks.

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While moving the whales is a positive step, some advocates worry about the new homes. Lori Marino, founder of The Whale Sanctuary Project, said the limited nature of aquarium habitats affects whales physically and mentally, according to the Chicago Tribune. “One of the main problems is boredom,” Marino said, per the report. She envisions a future sanctuary in the ocean with 100 acres of space as a better alternative.

Dr. Karisa Tang, vice president of animal health at Shedd, emphasized the urgency of the mission. “There is an urgent, timely need to find new homes for them, and we are here to help,” Tang said, as reported by Block Club. The rescued whales will join Shedd’s existing population of eight belugas in the Abbott Oceanarium.