From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 20s
3rd beluga dies from shuttered Canadian park
Shedd aquarium reports third beluga death after Marineland Canada shut down
In brief
Shedd aquarium reports third beluga death after Marineland Canada shut down Three belugas died since Marineland Canada closed, including two at Shedd Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Third beluga dies
Jelly Bean died suddenly at Oceanografic Valencia, bringing to three the total number of belugas that have died since being shipped out of Marineland Canada this summer
“Jelly Bean died "suddenly and unexpectedly" Friday, Oceanografic Valencia said in a statement”
Two belugas at Shedd
Peekachu died at Shedd on August 25, and Rain died at Shedd on September 2, both rescued from Marineland
“Peekachu, a 23-year-old female, died at Shedd August 25”
Third Shedd beluga
Beethoven, a 34-year-old beluga, died at Shedd on September 2, part of the aquarium's resident population
“A third Shedd beluga, 34-year-old Beethoven, part of the aquarium's resident population, also died Sept. 2”
Marineland closure
Marineland Canada closed to the public in 2024 after facing financial difficulties and criticism for unsanitary conditions
“The park closed to the public in 2024, and Marineland officials, citing extreme financial difficulties, had threatened to euthanize the whales if permanent homes couldn't be found”
Belugas shipped out
Ten Marineland belugas arrived at Shedd, with two more belugas trucked and flown to Spain
“Jelly Bean was one of two belugas trucked and then flown out of the shuttered Marineland Canada aquatic park during the summer”
Shedd investigation
Shedd continues to investigate the cause of death for all three belugas that died since Marineland closed
“Shedd continues to investigate the cause of death of all three belugas”
Consortium agreement
Shedd and three other U.S. aquariums, plus Oceanografic, agreed to take belugas from Marineland Canada
“Shedd is part of a consortium of four U.S. aquariums, as well as Oceanografic, that together agreed to take the belugas languishing in Marineland”
Health concerns
Marineland faced years of criticism for unsanitary conditions, prompting the closure and relocation of belugas
“Marineland had faced criticism for years that its animals were living in unsanitary conditions”
Current status
Cleopatra and four dolphins from Marineland are doing well at Oceanografic Valencia
“The aquarium's other Marineland beluga, Cleopatra, and four dolphins that also came from the Canadian park are all doing well”
The one thing
Three belugas died since Marineland Canada closed, including two at Shedd
