Peekachu, a beluga whale that recently left Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as confirmed by the facility on Wednesday. This unfortunate incident coincided with the relocation of two other belugas and four dolphins to Spain on the same day.
The 23-year-old female beluga, part of a group of eight belugas transported to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium due to an international rescue effort that had been ongoing for a month. Despite being blind in one eye and smaller in size, Peekachu demonstrated remarkable socialization skills and adaptability in her new environment, according to a blog post.
Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu later experienced a decline in appetite, leading to a diagnosis of dehydration through a blood test. Despite efforts to administer medication and fluids, Peekachu passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening, with a necropsy currently underway to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sadness over the loss of Peekachu but assured that the remaining whales under their care at Shedd are receiving optimal treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson acknowledged Peekachu’s death as “difficult news” and commended the efforts of accredited zoos and aquariums in facilitating the rescue and relocation of the marine animals.
In a separate development, four dolphins named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, departed Marineland for a new home in Spain, marking the last captive dolphins in Canada. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, highlighted the longstanding health issues faced by the belugas at Marineland and expressed concern over the risks associated with their relocation, citing past instances of mortality among the beluga population.
Mitchell criticized the handling of the situation, suggesting that better care could have been provided before initiating the transfers. She emphasized the need for a more cautious approach to ensure the well-being of the animals before their relocation, particularly given their compromised health conditions.
The remaining six belugas at Marineland, which represent the final captive whales in Canada, are slated to be transported to a U.S. aquarium as part of the park’s decision to relocate all its animals due to financial constraints. Following a failed attempt to sell the belugas and dolphins to a Chinese aquarium, Marineland sought assistance from American and Spanish aquariums to facilitate the movement of its marine mammals to various locations, including SeaWorld facilities and the Georgia Aquarium.
The ongoing developments underscore the complex challenges associated with the captivity and relocation of marine mammals, prompting calls for enhanced welfare standards and careful consideration in future conservation efforts.
