Peekachu, a beluga that was recently transferred from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, as announced by the facility on Wednesday. This unfortunate event coincided with the relocation of two other belugas and four dolphins to Spain.
The 23-year-old female beluga, part of a group of eight belugas brought to Shedd two weeks ago, was described as “unique” by the aquarium due to her participation in an ongoing international rescue operation that commenced a month ago. According to a blog post, Peekachu, who was blind in one eye and smaller than the others, displayed remarkable adaptability and social skills in her new environment.
Initially showing signs of progress by consuming squid, herring, and capelin provided by caretakers, Peekachu’s health took a downturn as she began refusing food and was diagnosed as dehydrated through a blood test. Despite efforts to administer medication and fluids, Peekachu tragically passed away on Tuesday evening, prompting the initiation of a necropsy.
Marineland expressed grief over the loss of Peekachu but assured that the remaining whales under their care at Shedd are receiving top-notch treatment. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson extended sympathies, acknowledging the challenging circumstances and commending the swift action taken by accredited zoos and aquariums in securing professional assistance for the animals.
Meanwhile, four dolphins (Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami) departed Marineland for a new home in Spain, marking the conclusion of Canada’s captive dolphin era. Animal Justice’s legal advocacy director, Kaitlyn Mitchell, lamented Peekachu’s demise as a foreseeable consequence of the belugas’ prolonged health issues and the stress associated with relocation, citing previous fatalities among exported belugas from Marineland.
Mitchell criticized the rushed transfer of the animals without ensuring optimal health conditions, suggesting that better care could have been provided before their relocation. She emphasized that welfare authorities should have prioritized the animals’ well-being over expediency, particularly given the deteriorating health of many of the whales.
The remaining six belugas at Marineland, the last in captivity in Canada, are slated to be transferred to a U.S. aquarium as part of the park’s efforts to offload all its animals due to financial constraints. Marineland’s initial attempt to sell the belugas and dolphins to a Chinese aquarium was thwarted by Ottawa, resulting in the search for alternative placements in American and Spanish aquariums.
The saga involving the relocation of Marineland’s marine mammals reflects the complexities and ethical considerations surrounding captive animal management, with Peekachu’s untimely demise underscoring the challenges and controversies in the conservation and welfare of marine species.