Marineland in Niagara Falls has dispatched a third group of six beluga whales to American facilities, a move the park describes as a major milestone in the nation's largest ever relocation of captive whales.
Logistics of the transfer
Under overcast skies, specialists guided the animals into custom slings and lifted each into bright blue transport tanks. The first male was hoisted at about 3:30 p.m. as rain fell, followed by a second male and then four females that sprayed water as they entered the water. A brief pause occurred when veterinarians examined a tail cut on the final female; after treatment and foam padding, she was cleared for travel.
At roughly 8:30 p.m. a police escorted convoy left the park, carrying two males named Zephyr and Balor and four females, Caspian, Pikachu, Secord and Rain, to Toronto Pearson airport. From there the whales will be flown to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
Andrew Burns, who advises the park, said the operation has proceeded smoothly and that the number of whales remaining at the site will soon be reduced to eleven. He added that the health of the animals remains the top priority and that further moves are planned, including a night flight to Spain for two dolphins and two belugas.
Implications for Canadian marine mammal policy
The transfers mark the final phase of removing the last captive cetaceans from Canada. With the park closed to the public since 2024 and its property on the market, the federal government's emergency funding allowed the relocation to proceed after a proposed sale to a Chinese aquarium was blocked by the fisheries minister.
Ottawa's involvement highlights the growing expectation that Canadian authorities will intervene when captive marine mammals face inadequate care. The successful moves may influence future legislation on marine mammal captivity, reinforcing calls for stricter standards and clearer funding pathways for rescue operations.
Former employee Tom Western, who spent four decades at the park, expressed relief at seeing the animals find new homes, noting the personal connection many Canadians have with the belugas that have become a familiar part of the Niagara skyline.
Marineland aims to have all remaining whales relocated by the end of the month, avoiding the previously threatened euthanasia plan that drew international attention.
Based on reporting by Global News.