30 Beluga Whales Saved from Euthanasia by US Aquariums

Marineland Whales Facing Euthanasia

• 📌 An estimated 30 beluga whales and four dolphins were alive at the closed Marineland park, facing euthanasia.
• ⚠️ Marineland threatened to euthanize the whales if the Canadian government did not pay for their relocation to China.
• 🚫 The Canadian government rejected the request to pay for relocation to China, calling Marineland's bluff.

Rescue Deal with US Facilities

• 🤝 A new deadline renewed the threat of euthanasia, but the Canadian Minister of Fisheries granted conditional approval for transport to US facilities.
• 💡 The US coalition of facilities initially refused to deal with Marineland due to its poor reputation.
• 🚀 The situation was reframed as an animal rescue, opening the door for American facilities to accept the whales.

Participating US Aquariums

• 🇺🇸 Facilities involved in the rescue include Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, and SeaWorld.
• 🐬 The dolphins will have a separate relocation deal announced at a later time.
• ✅ The move to US facilities is considered the best option for the whales' welfare, respecting Canadian laws against breeding and performing.

Transporting the Whales

• 🏋️ Moving a beluga whale involves lowering the water, getting the animal into a sling, and placing it into a box with water.
• ✈️ The box is then craned into a Hercules airplane and flown to its destination, with the process reversed upon arrival.
• 🌍 This relocation to the United States is seen as a much easier and better option for the whales than a move to China.