Peekachu, a beluga whale previously housed at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as confirmed by the facility on Wednesday. This unfortunate event coincided with the transfer of two other belugas and four dolphins to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga was among the group of eight belugas that were transported to the Shedd Aquarium two weeks ago. Described as “unique” by the aquarium, Peekachu, who was blind in one eye and one of the smaller whales, displayed remarkable social abilities despite her limitations.
Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu’s health deteriorated when she started to lose her appetite. A subsequent blood test indicated dehydration, and despite efforts to administer medication and fluids, Peekachu tragically passed away on Tuesday evening. A necropsy is currently underway to determine the cause of death.
Marineland expressed sorrow over Peekachu’s demise but assured that the remaining whales under their care at Shedd are receiving optimal treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended condolences for Peekachu’s passing and commended the efforts of the organizations involved in the rescue operation.
In a separate development, the four dolphins (Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami) from Marineland, who are now on their way to their new home in Spain, mark the last captive dolphins in Canada. Animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the overall health and well-being of the belugas and dolphins at Marineland, emphasizing the risks associated with their relocation.
The ongoing relocation process at Marineland includes preparations to transport the remaining six belugas, the final captive whales in Canada, to an aquarium in the United States. Following regulatory challenges, Marineland redirected its efforts to rehome the belugas and dolphins to American and Spanish aquariums, with previous attempts to transfer them to China halted due to legal constraints.
The transition of the marine mammals from Marineland to various aquariums has sparked debate among animal rights activists, who argue for better care practices and timing in relocating the animals. The future destinations for the remaining belugas and dolphins from Marineland include facilities in the United States such as SeaWorld and the Georgia Aquarium, as well as the Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.
