A third beluga whale rescued from a shuttered Canadian marine park has died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, raising fresh concerns about the difficulties the animals are facing after their relocation.
Osiris, a 26-year-old female, was among 30 belugas removed from Ontario’s Marineland this summer and one of 10 transferred to the Chicago aquarium. She died on Monday after struggling to adjust to her new surroundings.
The aquarium said Osiris had been considered a whale of clinical concern since her arrival because she was not eating consistently, making it difficult to maintain her nutrition and hydration. Her condition deteriorated rapidly after caretakers noticed sudden changes in her behaviour and breathing.
Two other rescued belugas, Peekachu and Rain, have died at Shedd in recent weeks. Another whale, Jelly Bean, died after being relocated to an aquarium in Spain, bringing the number of deaths among the transferred animals to four.
The 30 belugas were moved to aquariums in the United States and Spain after Marineland closed to the public and faced mounting difficulties caring for its remaining animals. More than 20 whales and dolphins had died at the facility since 2019.
Shedd Aquarium said necropsies will be conducted on the deceased whales, with confirmed causes of death to be released when available.
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