Six belugas were transferred from Marineland in Quebec, Canada, to aquariums in the U.S. via truck and airplane [1].
The relocation marks a significant shift in the management of captive marine mammals at the Canadian facility. This move follows a formal plan to relocate the remaining belugas and dolphins to facilities in the United States, a strategy that received approval from Canada’s Minister of Fisheries [2].
The transport operation took place at the end of July 2024 [1]. The animals were moved from the Quebec site to destinations in Chicago, Illinois, and San Antonio, Texas [2]. To complete the journey, the whales traveled several hundred to a few thousand kilometres [1].
Logistics for the move involved a combination of ground and air transport to ensure the safety of the mammals. Reports said the six belugas arrived at their new destinations healthy and safe [1].
This transfer is part of a broader effort by Marineland to move its captive population. The coordination involved a consortium of U.S. aquariums that agreed to take in the animals [1]. The process was monitored to ensure that the welfare of the whales remained a priority during the long-distance transit [2].
The relocation of these animals concludes a specific phase of the facility's transition plan. By moving the belugas to the U.S., Marineland is executing the government-sanctioned strategy to redistribute its marine animal holdings [2].
“Six belugas were transferred from Marineland in Quebec, Canada, to aquariums in the U.S.”
The transfer of these belugas reflects the ongoing tension between captive animal entertainment and evolving government regulations regarding marine mammal welfare. By relocating the animals to U.S. facilities, Marineland is adhering to a state-approved exit strategy, though it shifts the responsibility of care to American institutions rather than returning the animals to the wild.
