Peekachu, a beluga whale that was recently transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as confirmed by the facility on Wednesday. On the same day, two other belugas and four dolphins were in the process of being relocated to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga, part of a group of eight belugas that were flown to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium. The ongoing international rescue effort that began a month ago has been continuing.
According to a blog post, Peekachu, who was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales, was adapting well to her new environment despite her limitations. Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin, she later experienced difficulties with eating and was found to be dehydrated after a blood test.
Despite efforts to provide her with medication and fluids on Tuesday evening, Peekachu passed away unexpectedly. A necropsy is currently being carried out to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sadness over the loss of Peekachu but assured that the remaining whales from their facility are receiving top-notch care at Shedd. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson also conveyed her sympathies, acknowledging the challenging news of Peekachu’s death and commending the efforts of Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in facilitating the rescue and relocation process.
Animal advocate groups have expressed mixed emotions about the recent developments. The four dolphins, which included Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, departed Marineland for their new home in Spain. According to Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, while it is devastating to hear of Peekachu’s passing, it was not entirely unexpected due to the poor health conditions of the belugas at Marineland.
Mitchell highlighted the risks associated with the animals’ relocation and criticized the handling of the situation, citing previous deaths and health concerns among the belugas. She suggested that better care could have been provided before moving the animals.
As the remaining six belugas at Marineland prepare for their transfer to a U.S. aquarium, concerns about their well-being and the circumstances surrounding the move persist. Marineland’s decision to relocate all its animals due to financial constraints has sparked controversy, with previous attempts to send the belugas and dolphins to China being blocked by Canadian authorities.
The park’s collaboration with American and Spanish aquariums has led to the dispersal of the belugas to various locations, including SeaWorld facilities in the United States. Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the fate of these marine mammals, efforts are ongoing to ensure their welfare during the transition.