Peekachu, a beluga whale that was relocated from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as confirmed by the facility on Wednesday. This unfortunate event occurred on the same day when two other belugas and four dolphins were being transferred to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga was one of eight belugas transported to Shedd two weeks ago as part of an international rescue mission that had been ongoing for a month. The aquarium described Peekachu as a unique individual, mentioning that she was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales. Despite these challenges, Peekachu adapted well to her new environment and showed signs of progress initially.
However, the aquarium’s blog post revealed that Peekachu began experiencing eating difficulties and was diagnosed as dehydrated through a blood test. Despite efforts to provide medical care and fluids, Peekachu passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening. A necropsy is currently being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sadness over Peekachu’s passing but assured that the remaining whales under their care at Shedd are receiving top-notch treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended condolences, acknowledging the challenging circumstances faced by those caring for the animals and commending the swift action taken by accredited zoos and aquariums.
In a separate development, four dolphins named Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami departed Marineland for a new home in Spain, marking the end of captive dolphins in Canada. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, expressed sadness over Peekachu’s death, citing longstanding health issues among the belugas. Mitchell emphasized the importance of providing proper care before relocating the animals to ensure their well-being.
The article also highlighted the upcoming transfer of the remaining six belugas from Marineland to a U.S. aquarium, as part of the park’s decision to relocate all animals due to financial constraints. Originally intended for a facility in China, the belugas faced challenges due to a Canadian law prohibiting whale and dolphin captivity, breeding, and performances. After a series of setbacks, Marineland sought assistance from American and Spanish aquariums for the relocation of its marine mammals, including the belugas and dolphins.
The relocation process, which has drawn attention from animal welfare advocates, underscores the complexities involved in transitioning captive marine animals to new environments while ensuring their health and safety.