Marineland’s beluga whales on the move to U.S., Spain facilities

Rescue comes months after owners of shuttered attraction stated they might euthanize marine mammals

Published Jul 10, 2026  •  2 minute read

An un-named male beluga whale, born at Marineland in Niagara Falls, ON., is being monitored by staff around the clock. Amother beluga mother, Denise, who delivered ten-days ago swims in the background. Mothers and babies are doing fine. On Friday it was announced four U.S. aquariums were rescuing 30 beluga whales at the now-defunct facility. Photo by **Story/ Staff photo by Denis Cahill/The Standard

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Aquariums in the United States and Spain are coming to rescue numerous mammals stranded at Marineland.

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“Without this rescue, the whales’ future was unknown,” the Georgia Aquarium said in a July 8 Instagram post. “Now, we can care for them and ensure they are given every possible chance to thrive.

“This is just the beginning. We have a long road ahead as we undertake one of the largest, and most complex, beluga rescues in our history.”

Earlier this week it was announced that 28 belugas would be moving from the shuttered tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, Ont., to four U.S. facilities. Two of the belugas will be sent to a facility in Spain.

Thirteen belugas will be transported to SeaWorld San Antonio, three to SeaWorld San Diego, 10 to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and a pair to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

“For several months, we’ve been part of a group of accredited aquariums working to rescue 30 beluga whales from a closed marine park in Canada,” the Georgia Aquarium said. “We officially have government authorization to bring the whales to U.S. aquariums.”

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‘Not a simple move’

“This is not a simple move. It is a major international rescue effort involving multiple governments, veterinary teams, animal care specialists and accredited marine life facilities,” SeaWorld said in a Facebook statement on July 8.

“In the coming days and weeks, dedicated care teams will arrive to assess the whales’ health and begin preparing them for travel. Once veterinarians determine the animals are cleared to move, aquarium experts will accompany them to their new homes.”

This rescue comes months after Marineland stated they might euthanize the belugas and four dolphins unless the federal government approved the exports or financed the care of the animals. At that point, the closed-down park said it could no longer support the animals financially.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson met with officials from Marineland back in January to talk about its proposed plan to move the animals to the U.S. The park’s owners was in discussions with four U.S. aquariums to take its remaining mammals.

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“It was a constructive meeting, and I provided conditional approval for export permits,” Thompson said in a statement posted on social media back on Jan. 26. “I will issue the final permits once final required information is received from Marineland.”

“We extend our gratitude to the minister and the Canadian government for prioritizing the lives of these remarkable marine mammals,” a release from Marineland said after hearing the news from Thompson. 

Marineland operated from 1961 until 2024. The park became known for marine animal shows, amusement rides, and exhibits, but also faced criticism and legal battles over its treatment of the mammals.

There was no update on the situation with the dolphins.

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