A historic rescue mission has moved seven more beluga whales nearly 2,000 miles from a shuttered Canadian marine park to SeaWorld San Antonio.
See video of rescued belugas arrive at US homes after major relocation
Six beluga whales rescued from Marineland of Canada have arrived at aquariums in Chicago and San Antonio to start their new lives.
- Seven beluga whales were safely transported from a closed Canadian marine park to SeaWorld San Antonio.
- The whales traveled nearly 2,000 miles in special containers accompanied by veterinarians and animal care experts.
- These seven females join two male belugas previously rescued from the same shuttered park.
The rush to save dozens of beluga whales from a shuttered marine park in Canada is marking a major milestone.
Seven whales have safely made it to SeaWorld San Antonio from Marineland in Niagara Falls.
Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva and Calypso join two other belugas previously rescued from the marine park, which closed in 2024.
“Given this is the largest number of belugas being moved at one time, we are so happy that all went well and the second transport of this huge rescue effort is complete,” Steve Aibel, vice president, Animals and Conservation for SeaWorld San Antonio, said in a statement.
The whales made the nearly 2,000-mile journey in special water-filled containers, tended by a team of veterinarians and animal care experts.
SeaWorld said the new arrivals, who are all female, are currently being cared for in a private habitat out of public view.
“Caretakers are letting each whale adjust at her own pace, watching closely for signs that they are eating well, resting comfortably, and beginning to interact with one another and their new surroundings,” the company said in news release.
Meanwhile, two male belugas rescued in July are continuing to get to know their trainers and being socialized, also at their own pace, with the park’s eight resident beluga whales.
Those two are named Frankie and Bertie Botts.
At this point, it’s not clear how many of the rescued whales will remain at SeaWorld San Antonio.
“Currently, we are laser focused on the rescue of the remaining whales and the well-being of the whales in our care and giving them the time and support needed to adjust to their new habitats,” said AnneMarie Iturrizaga, vice president of Public Relations and Communications for SeaWorld’s parent company, United Parks and Resorts. “Initial care is focusing on health monitoring, nutrition, observation, and helping the animals adjust at a pace guided by their individual needs and responses.”
Rescue operations are being coordinated internationally, but Iturrizaga told USA TODAY they are expecting four more rescued belugas to be taken to SeaWorld San Antonio and three to SeaWorld San Diego.
SeaWorld runs one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the U.S. It’s partnering with fellow Association of Zoos and Aquariums members Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium and Oceanogràfic Valéncia on the beluga mission.