Europe’s biggest aquatic center is now a probable new home for some of the 30 beluga whales still residing at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans recently approved a rescue initiative to relocate all remaining whales to Oceanogràfic València in Spain or various U.S. facilities: Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and two SeaWorld sites in San Diego, California, and San Antonio, Texas.
The fate of these whales has been uncertain since last autumn when the government denied Marineland’s request to export them to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Marineland ceased operations to the public in 2024 following the passing of its owners, John Holer and Marie Holer. Despite the closure, the staff continued caring for the remaining animals.
Johnny Ford, a vice president at Shedd Aquarium, mentioned that there is no fixed timeline for the rescue operation. He stated that the accredited aquariums, recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, are ready to act within weeks.
Several steps are yet to be completed, including medical assessments by Canadian veterinarians to confirm the animals’ fitness for travel. Additionally, obtaining import permits from the U.S. and Spanish governments is crucial, a process currently underway. Final approval from the federal government in the form of export permits is also necessary, which will be granted pending the animals’ health checks.
Oceanogràfic València has been actively involved in the Marineland case since the beginning due to its successful relocation of belugas across borders. In 2024, the Spanish aquarium rescued two belugas, a 15-year-old male named Plombir and a 14-year-old female named Miranda, from Ukraine amidst a war crisis. Georgia Aquarium and SeaWorld collaborated on this intricate rescue mission, which involved transporting the belugas by truck to Moldova and then by plane to València.
The collective responsible for the rescue logistics has extensive experience in safely transporting belugas over long distances, ensuring a smooth transfer process for the Marineland whales.
