Peekachu, a female beluga whale previously housed at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. This unfortunate event occurred on the same day that two other belugas and four dolphins were being relocated to Spain.
Peekachu, aged 23, was one of eight belugas transferred to the Shedd Aquarium two weeks ago as part of an international rescue initiative. The aquarium described her as a unique individual who, despite being blind in one eye and smaller in size, managed to adapt well to her new environment and socialize with ease.
Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu later experienced difficulties with eating and was diagnosed as dehydrated following a blood test. Despite efforts to administer medication and fluids, she unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday evening. A necropsy is currently underway to determine the cause of death.
While expressing sadness over Peekachu’s demise, Marineland emphasized that the remaining whales under their care at the Shedd Aquarium are receiving top-notch treatment. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended condolences, acknowledging the challenging circumstances faced by those responsible for the animals’ well-being.
In a separate development, four dolphins named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami departed Marineland for a new home in Spain. These dolphins, along with belugas Cleopatra and Jelly Bean, were carefully loaded into transport trucks bound for Toronto’s Pearson International Airport en route to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, commented on the situation, expressing sorrow at Peekachu’s passing and highlighting the long-standing health issues faced by belugas at Marineland.
Mitchell raised concerns about the risks associated with relocating unhealthy animals and criticized the handling of the situation, noting previous deaths among exported belugas. Meanwhile, plans are underway to transfer the six remaining belugas from Marineland to a U.S.-based aquarium, marking the final phase of relocating all animals from the Canadian facility. Marineland’s financial struggles prompted the decision to move the marine mammals, with previous attempts to sell them to a Chinese aquarium thwarted by Canadian regulations prohibiting whale and dolphin captivity.
Following the intervention of American and Spanish aquariums, the belugas have found new homes in various locations, including SeaWorld facilities in San Diego and San Antonio, as well as the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. This series of relocations underscores the complex challenges faced by aquatic animals in captivity and the ongoing efforts to ensure their well-being and conservation.