Six beluga whales departed the shuttered Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ontario on Wednesday, continuing what organizers describe as the largest coordinated relocation of captive whales ever attempted.
The transfer marks the third group of animals moved from the facility since late July. With this latest departure, 19 of Marineland's original 30 belugas have now been relocated to aquariums in the United States.
Under overcast skies, a specialized team began lifting the whales from their pools around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Each animal was carefully placed into a custom sling before being hoisted by crane into bright blue transport tanks. The crew started with two males before moving to a second pool to retrieve four females.
The operation faced a brief delay when veterinarians discovered a cut on the tail of the final beluga. After assessment and treatment, including foam padding added to her sling to prevent further injury, she was cleared for transport.
A police-escorted convoy departed the park at approximately 8:30 p.m., transporting the six whales—males named Zephyr and Balor, and females named Caspian, Pikachu, Secord, and Rain (also known as Spurlock)—to Toronto's Pearson airport. From there, the animals were scheduled to fly to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
"We've had really no substantial issues whatsoever. All the animals are safely in their new homes, they're all adjusting well and everyone is just getting better and better, and the operation is getting smoother," Andrew Burns, Marineland's adviser, told Peterborough during the transfer.
Burns emphasized that animal welfare remains the paramount concern throughout the process. The team maintains flexibility to postpone moving individual whales if health concerns arise. He noted that three additional transfers are planned, including a nighttime flight to Spain carrying dolphins and two belugas.
"And today we are going to reduce the number of whales here down to 11, which is … a major milestone. Two thirds are going to be out and safely rehoused," Burns told Peterborough.
Tom Western, who spent 40 years working at Marineland before retiring, witnessed Wednesday's transfer with mixed emotions. He was present when many of the adult belugas first arrived at the park, making the farewell particularly poignant.
"Marineland's a big part of my life. I worked here for 40 years," Western said in an interview with Peterborough. "I was here when all the adult belugas were put in this pool with the exception of the ones that were born here, and I'm so happy that they're moving on to new homes."
The relocation effort became necessary after Marineland closed to the public in 2024 and put its property up for sale. Park officials have stated they lack the financial resources to continue caring for the animals.
Before the transfers began in late July, Marineland housed 30 belugas and four dolphins—the last captive whales and dolphins in Canada. The first group of six belugas left on July 20, bound for Shedd and SeaWorld in San Antonio. A second transfer moved seven more belugas to the San Antonio facility weeks later.
The current relocation plan emerged after a controversial series of events last year. Marineland initially arranged to sell all 30 belugas to a large aquarium in China, but Canada's fisheries minister blocked the transaction, determining it would not serve the animals' best interests.
In response, Marineland threatened to euthanize the entire population if emergency federal funding wasn't provided—a statement that drew international attention. The federal government subsequently approved an alternative arrangement with a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums.
Additional facilities expecting to receive Marineland animals include SeaWorld in San Diego and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain. Park officials have indicated they hope to complete all transfers by the end of August. If the relocations cannot be completed, the remaining animals face euthanasia.
