CHICAGO — A 26-year-old beluga whale rescued from a closed Canadian marine park has died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, marking the third death among the whales transferred to the facility as part of a major international relocation effort.
The female whale, named Osiris, died Monday after experiencing ongoing health problems following her arrival from Marineland in Ontario. Her death comes less than a week after another rescued beluga, Jelly Bean, died at an aquarium in Spain.
The recent deaths have raised concerns among marine mammal experts about the challenges faced by the whales as they adjust to unfamiliar environments after years at Marineland.
Osiris Had Experienced Health Problems
Shedd Aquarium said Osiris had been considered a whale requiring close medical attention since arriving at the Chicago facility.
According to the aquarium, she had struggled to maintain a consistent appetite, making it difficult for caretakers to ensure she received enough food and hydration.
Although Osiris showed periods of improvement, including progress in her social and nutritional condition, her overall health remained under close observation.
On the morning of her death, caretakers noticed sudden changes in her behavior and breathing. She was transferred to a medical habitat, but her condition deteriorated rapidly despite emergency treatment.
Shedd said it will conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of death and plans to release the findings once they have been confirmed.
30 Belugas Relocated From Canada
The deaths follow an unprecedented effort to relocate 30 beluga whales and four dolphins from Marineland, a former marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Shedd Aquarium received 10 of the belugas. Other whales were transferred to facilities including Georgia Aquarium and SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio, while two were sent to Oceanogràfic de València in Spain.
The Canadian government approved the relocation after Marineland, which had been closed to the public, was no longer able to care for its remaining whales.
The animals were transported using specialized equipment, including custom-made slings and temperature-controlled containers. Aquarium staff reviewed their medical records and monitored their condition throughout the transfer process.
Several Belugas Have Died Since Relocation
Osiris is the latest of several rescued belugas to die following the international transfers.
At Shedd Aquarium, two other rescued whales, Peekachu and Rain, died in late August and early September. Another beluga that had already been living at the Chicago aquarium also died around the same period.
In Spain, Jelly Bean died at Oceanogràfic de València after experiencing feeding difficulties and periods of declining health.
The aquarium said Jelly Bean’s condition had been closely monitored after she began having trouble eating. Despite some improvement, she died unexpectedly.
Other Rescued Whales Remain Under Observation
Other facilities caring for the rescued whales have reported different health outcomes.
Two belugas at Georgia Aquarium experienced reduced appetites and were examined by veterinary teams. Officials said examinations did not identify significant problems.
SeaWorld has reported that its rescued belugas remain in stable condition.
The different health experiences have highlighted the difficulties involved in moving large marine mammals that have spent years in the same environment.
Experts Question Timing of the Deaths
Andrew Trites, director of the University of British Columbia’s Marine Mammal Research Unit, said the number of deaths occurring relatively soon after the whales were moved was concerning.
The whales were transported in confined conditions during their flights from Canada. Trites noted that belugas are accustomed to swimming through narrow spaces in some natural environments, meaning confinement during transport alone may not explain the deaths.
He said the fact that four animals died relatively soon after arriving at new facilities was the most notable aspect of the situation.
Beluga whales are particularly sensitive to environmental changes and other sources of stress. Some populations, including belugas in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, are classified as endangered.
Necropsies Expected to Provide More Answers
Shedd Aquarium reported Osiris’ death to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA Fisheries requires facilities to provide information about deceased marine mammals and, when requested, necropsy reports.
The aquarium said its veterinary team will examine Osiris and share the findings after the investigation is complete.
For now, the deaths have left marine mammal specialists and aquarium officials searching for answers about why several of the relocated whales have struggled after leaving Marineland.
The relocation was intended to provide the animals with long-term care after the Canadian park could no longer house them. Their health will continue to be closely monitored as the surviving whales adjust to their new facilities.
