Beluga Whale Rescued from Canada Dies at SeaWorld San Diego
Cyprus, one of three belugas transferred from Marineland Canada, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness.
A nine-year-old beluga whale named Cyprus, recently rescued from a shuttered Canadian theme park, died at SeaWorld San Diego on Sunday. Cyprus had been transferred to San Diego on August 22, along with two other male belugas, from the Marineland Canada park in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
According to SeaWorld, Cyprus stopped eating two days prior to his death. Veterinarians conducted a medical examination and discovered that his intestinal tract was not functioning normally, indicating a potentially life-threatening condition. Despite efforts to stabilize him overnight, the whale could not be saved.
A full necropsy is planned, and the results will be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. SeaWorld noted that beluga whales have a natural instinct to hide distress, which can mask serious health issues in their early stages.
"Cyprus had been doing well since his arrival," SeaWorld stated. "He was eating consistently, acclimating to his new environment and interacting with his trainers and animal care team, along with the two other rescued belugas." The organization added that they understood the rescued animals would be navigating a significant transition and that their full health picture would only become clearer through ongoing assessment.
The other two beluga whales, Xavier and Jasper, are reported to be in stable health and are being closely monitored as they continue to adjust to their new surroundings. SeaWorld has not yet released the official cause of Cyprus's death, pending the results of the necropsy.