SeaWorld intervened to save the thirty beluga whales stuck in a Canadian theme park closed for two years.
One of Canada’s largest marine parks, located in Marineland, Ontario, ceased operations as a public attraction two years ago (in 2024) due to financial constraints and since then whales have been trapped there.
The United States government has given the green light to an international rescue effort as major aquariums around the world team up to save the whales and give them new homes.
The rescue team includes SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and Spanish Aquarium Oceanografic Valencia. The Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut is helping with rescue efforts but will not take any whales for itself.
It has been revealed that two whales will go to Spain while the other 28 will go to the United States. The exact number of fish the aquariums will receive has not been revealed.
The rescue effort comes after Marineland warned last year that it might have to cull the whales if the government did not step in with money or allow their relocation.
The park first wanted to send the whales to a marine park in China; however, Canadian officials said no, citing concerns about animal welfare.
In June, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans instead backed a new plan, sending the whales to the United States and Spain. The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also approved it.
