Peekachu, a beluga whale that 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 relocated to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga, part of a group of eight belugas airlifted to Shedd two weeks ago, stood out as “unique,” according to the aquarium. Peekachu, blind in one eye and smaller in size, displayed remarkable adaptability in social interactions and exploring her new environment.
Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu later experienced difficulty in eating, leading to a diagnosis of dehydration following a blood test. Despite efforts to administer medication and fluids on Tuesday evening, Peekachu tragically passed away suddenly. A necropsy is currently underway to determine the cause of death.
While expressing sorrow over Peekachu’s demise, Marineland reassured that the remaining whales under their care at Shedd are receiving top-notch treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended sympathies, acknowledging the challenging circumstances surrounding the rescue efforts for these animals.
On a related note, four dolphins (Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami) departed Marineland for their new home in Spain, marking the conclusion of captive dolphin existence in Canada. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, highlighted the distressing but anticipated nature of Peekachu’s passing, emphasizing the longstanding health issues faced by the belugas.
Mitchell criticized the handling of the situation, pointing out that better care and timing could have prevented such tragic outcomes. She also raised concerns about the overall health conditions of the belugas exported to the U.S. in 2021 and the past mortality rate among the animals at Marineland.
In the coming days, the remaining six belugas at Marineland, the last captive whales in Canada, are scheduled for relocation to a U.S. aquarium. With financial constraints leading Marineland to offload its animals, a total of 30 belugas and four dolphins are set to be moved off-site, following the government’s intervention to prohibit the earlier planned transfer of these marine mammals to China.
Marineland’s decision to seek assistance from American and Spanish aquariums, resulting in the relocation of its belugas to various facilities in the U.S., marks a significant shift in the fate of these marine creatures. The park’s strategic partnerships have paved the way for a new chapter in the lives of the belugas and dolphins formerly housed at Marineland.