Another beluga whale, Caspian, a 27-year-old female, has passed away at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago after efforts to save her were unsuccessful. This marks the sixth death of an animal from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, following a significant relocation of whales and dolphins during the summer. Four belugas and one dolphin from Marineland have died since being moved from the theme park.
According to Shedd, Caspian was not eating properly, and blood samples revealed abnormalities in her electrolyte levels, with dangerously acidic blood. While these findings helped the veterinary team assess Caspian’s condition, the exact cause of death has not been determined. Caspian was on life support for almost four hours before she passed away.
In recent necropsies conducted by Shedd, it was found that two other Marineland whales, Peekachu and Rain, had chronic pre-existing diseases. Shedd, along with four other aquariums in the United States and Spain, assisted in relocating all 30 belugas and four dolphins from Marineland over six weeks this summer. Marineland cited financial constraints as the reason for the move, stating they could no longer care for the remaining captive whales and dolphins in Canada. Unfortunately, a beluga named Jelly Bean and a dolphin named Echo died at Oceanografic Valencia in Spain post-relocation.