Two beluga whales, Peekachu and Rain, died shortly after being relocated from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. The Shedd Aquarium announced on Friday that both whales had chronic, pre-existing diseases; however, the aquarium did not explicitly determine these health issues as the direct causes of their deaths. Notably, Shedd emphasized that there is no evidence of any infectious diseases affecting the whales.
Shedd Aquarium, along with four other aquariums, assisted in the relocation of the last remaining captive belugas and dolphins in Canada after Marineland reported financial difficulties and could no longer provide adequate care for its marine life. Over six weeks during the summer, a total of 30 belugas and four dolphins were moved, with five marine animals, including Peekachu and Rain, having died since their relocation.
After performing necropsies on Peekachu, Rain, and Beethoven—a 34-year-old beluga that had lived at Shedd for decades—the aquarium revealed that the necropsies highlighted significant gastrointestinal issues. According to Shedd's detailed statement, the Marineland belugas exhibited "chronic inflammatory disease within their gastrointestinal systems," which was severe in Rain and significant in Peekachu. Shedd indicated that the type and extent of the inflammation suggested these health issues had existed long before the whales arrived at their facility.
Additionally, the necropsy findings included foreign objects in the stomachs of both whales. Peekachu's stomach contained "bird feathers, sticks, and large, porous rocks," while Rain's stomach had "small flecks of material that may be paint." However, both Shedd Aquarium and Marineland asserted that these foreign objects were not responsible for the whales' deaths. Marineland stated that belugas are inquisitive animals that sometimes ingest objects from their surroundings, akin to domestic dogs.
Veterinarians from Marineland, Shedd, SeaWorld, and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain had previously assessed the whales before their relocation and cleared them for the move. Amid the recent deaths, Marineland expressed concern over Shedd's statements. They defended their past care of Peekachu and Rain, asserting they had been well looked after in their large outdoor habitat surrounded by familiar social groups. Marineland pointed out that the whales had only been housed at Shedd for a short period and that the transition is complex for animals that have spent over 20 years in one environment.
Historically, Marineland has faced challenges with its marine life, with reports indicating that nineteen belugas and one killer whale died from 2019 to 2025. Although there were no whale deaths reported during the year prior to the relocation, the situation drew scrutiny after the transition. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson labeled the recent deaths at Shedd as "incredibly sad" and criticized Marineland's prior neglect, referencing the findings of foreign objects in the whales' stomachs as indicative of unhealthy living conditions before their relocation.
Thompson had previously blocked a deal for Marineland to sell its whales and dolphins to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, an aquarium in China. She justified her decision by stating that the Chinese facility did not comply with Canadian standards regarding animal welfare and captivity. Following this, Marineland sought assistance from U.S. and Spanish aquariums, where there are no restrictions on breeding or performance for the relocated animals.
