Six beluga whales have reached U.S. aquariums after being transferred from a closed Canadian marine park that was no longer able to care for them.
They belong to a larger pod of 30 belugas that previously resided at Marineland of Canada and now require new homes.
Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet were moved to a Chicago-based facility, while Bertie Botts and Frankie were transported to SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas.
The whales were transported in specialized cold‑water containers by truck and air, accompanied by marine mammal veterinarians throughout the journey. This transfer represents the initial phase of an unprecedented international relocation effort.
Following months of meticulous planning and veterinary assessments, specialist teams now monitor the whales as they acclimate to their new environments.
