Peekachu, a beluga whale that was recently transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The 23-year-old female beluga was part of a group of eight belugas that were relocated to the Shedd Aquarium two weeks ago, marking a significant step in an ongoing international rescue mission. The aquarium noted that Peekachu, despite being blind in one eye and smaller in size compared to other whales, quickly adapted to her new environment and socialized well.
Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu’s health took a turn for the worse as she began experiencing difficulty eating and was diagnosed as dehydrated following a blood test. Despite efforts to provide medical care and fluids, Peekachu passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday evening, with a necropsy currently being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sadness over Peekachu’s death but assured that the remaining whales under their care at the Shedd Aquarium are receiving top-notch treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended condolences, acknowledging the challenges faced by those caring for the animals and commending the efforts of organizations involved in the rescue mission.
In a separate development, four dolphins from Marineland, named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, have been relocated to a new home in Spain, marking the departure of Canada’s last captive dolphins. Animal advocacy groups, including Animal Justice, have raised concerns about the well-being of the belugas and dolphins during the relocation process, citing past instances of health complications and deaths among these marine mammals.
As Marineland prepares to transfer the remaining six belugas to a U.S. aquarium, concerns have been raised about the animals’ health and the urgency of the moves. The park’s financial constraints and the legal restrictions on whale and dolphin captivity have complicated the relocation process, with various aquariums in the U.S. and Spain stepping in to assist Marineland in finding suitable homes for the belugas and dolphins.
The situation underscores the challenges and controversies surrounding marine mammal captivity and the efforts to ensure the welfare of these animals during transitions between facilities.
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