Shedd says two Marineland belugas that died in Chicago had chronic pre-existing disease

Two Marineland belugas that died weeks after being moved to Chicago had chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease that began before their arrival, Shedd Aquarium says, while Marineland and the fisheries minister dispute blame for the deaths.

Two beluga whales that died weeks after being relocated from Marineland to a Chicago aquarium had chronic, pre-existing diseases, Shedd Aquarium said Friday. The aquarium stopped short of saying the disease caused the deaths of Peekachu, a 23-year-old female, and Rain, a 20-year-old female.

Shedd said there is no evidence of any infectious disease. The aquarium performed necropsies on Peekachu and Rain, as well as on Beethoven, a 34-year-old beluga that had lived at Shedd for decades and died of an age-related illness the same day as Rain. The necropsies found the Marineland whales had chronic inflammatory disease within their gastrointestinal systems, Shedd said in a lengthy statement. The inflammation was significant in Peekachu and severe in Rain, according to the aquarium.

Chronic Inflammation Found In Beluga Whales

Shedd said the significance of the inflammation, the types of immune cells present and changes to the mucosa, the inner lining of the intestines, indicate the disease had likely been present for an extended period. These changes develop over time, potentially months or years, meaning the disease began before the whales arrived at Shedd and compromised their health, the aquarium said.

Shedd also said it found bird feathers, sticks and large, porous rocks inside Peekachu's stomach and small flecks of material that may be paint in Rain's stomach. The aquarium said it does not believe those foreign objects contributed to their deaths, and Marineland agreed they were not the cause.

Belugas are naturally curious animals that investigate and occasionally swallow objects in their environment, both in human care and in the wild, just like the family dog does from time to time, Marineland said in a statement. Shedd, along with four other aquariums, helped Marineland move all 30 of its belugas and four dolphins out of the closed Niagara Falls, Ont. , theme park over six weeks this summer. They were the last captive whales and dolphins in Canada.

Marineland had said it was running out of money and could no longer care for its whales. Four belugas and one dolphin have died since being moved. Veterinarians from Marineland, Shedd, SeaWorld and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain visited Marineland for extensive periods to examine the whales and dolphins. Those veterinarians cleared the animals for the move, as did Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson.

Marineland Questions Shedd Aquarium Statement

Marineland appeared to take issue with parts of Shedd's statement on Friday. Our veterinary and animal care teams successfully cared for Peekachu for 23 years and Rain for 20 years, for every day of their lives with us, in a large outdoor habitat alongside the social group they had always known, Marineland said. The Niagara Falls park had two pools for its 30 belugas and each held nearly 40 million litres of water.

Shedd's beluga pool, the Abbott Oceanarium, holds nearly 12 million litres of water. This is a complex care situation, Marineland said. The whales were rehoused only a few short weeks ago after 20 plus years at Marineland. Some of Marineland's whales have struggled over the years.

Nineteen belugas and one killer whale died at the park between 2019 and 2025. The park had not lost a whale for more than a year leading up to the move. Thompson called the deaths at Shedd incredibly sad. Her office said the results of the necropsy and clinical examinations showed both belugas had foreign objects such as large rocks, and likely paint in their stomachs that predate their time at Shedd.

Government Claims Unacceptable Neglect Before Move

This reveals an unacceptable neglect for their health and well-being prior to their relocation, Thompson's office said. This was a rescue mission, aimed at giving the remaining beluga whales the best chance at a safe, healthy life informed by individual health assessments, while recognizing that there were inherent risks involved, the statement said. Marineland said it acknowledges the fisheries department's concern, and noted that the department had no oversight, role, responsibility or expertise in, or for, animal care at Marineland.

We are focused on supporting the ongoing care of the rehoused animals and improving their lives, while the process of investigation continues, Marineland said. Thompson had nixed a previous deal Marineland had to sell all its whales and dolphins to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, an aquarium in China.

She said it was not in the best interest of the whales because the country did not have any laws that reflected the spirit of a 2019 federal law that banned whale and dolphin captivity. That law grandfathered in Marineland's animals, but it forbade breeding and made illegal marine mammal performances. Marineland then turned to U.S. and Spanish aquariums for help. There are no restrictions on breeding or performing in the whales' new homes.

Please follow us on Google to support us

Compiled from 2 sourcesCompiled by HeadTopics editors by cross-checking the verified news reports listed here.

CTVNews CTVToronto:Marineland belugas that died in Chicago had chronic disease, aquarium says

This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.

Ontario/Quebec Marineland Belugas Shedd Aquarium Peekachu And Rain Whale Relocation Chronic Disease

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

PFL Chicago full card set with two rematches on topThe Professional Fighters League just released a stacked card for their return to Chicago.
Read more »

Marineland dolphin Echo dies at Oceanografic Valencia weeks after transferOceanografic Valencia says blind bottlenose dolphin Echo died Wednesday after respiratory and swallowing problems, becoming the fifth Marineland animal to die since summer transfers to five parks.
Read more »

Echo the dolphin dies at Oceanografic Valencia weeks after Marineland relocationA blind Black Sea bottlenose dolphin named Echo has died at Oceanografic Valencia weeks after being moved from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The dolphin had respiratory and swallowing problems, and her condition deteriorated rapidly despite veterinary care.
Read more »