A beluga named Peekachu, who was recently transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. This sad news came on the same day when two other belugas and four dolphins were being moved to Spain. Peekachu, a 23-year-old female beluga, was part of a group of eight belugas relocated to Shedd two weeks ago in an international rescue effort that began a month ago.
Despite being blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales, Peekachu was described as a unique individual by the aquarium. The beluga showed promising signs of adjustment at first, eating squid, herring, and capelin from caretakers. However, she later experienced difficulties with eating and was found to be dehydrated during a blood test. Despite efforts to provide her with medication and fluids, Peekachu suddenly passed away on Tuesday evening.
Marineland expressed sadness over Peekachu’s death but assured that the remaining whales are receiving top-notch care at Shedd. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson conveyed her condolences, acknowledging the challenging news and praising the efforts of Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in facilitating the rescue and relocation of these animals.
In a separate development, the four dolphins Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami departed Marineland for a new home in Spain, marking the end of Canada’s captive dolphin population. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, expressed sorrow over Peekachu’s passing, highlighting the long-standing health issues faced by the belugas at Marineland. Mitchell emphasized the risks associated with moving these animals and criticized the rushed relocation process.
The remaining six belugas at Marineland, which are Canada’s last captive whales, are slated to be transferred to a U.S. aquarium as part of Marineland’s decision to relocate all its animals due to financial constraints. Despite initial plans to sell the belugas and dolphins to a Chinese aquarium being blocked by Ottawa, alternative arrangements were made with American and Spanish aquariums for their relocation. This includes transfers to SeaWorld locations and the Georgia Aquarium in the United States.