Six beluga whales have arrived at aquariums in the United States as part of an international effort to rehome them from a Canadian marine park that could no longer provide care.
The whales were transported in specialized cold-water containers via truck and plane, accompanied by marine mammal veterinarians throughout the journey. This marks the initial phase of a significant relocation initiative.
Four whales, identified as Sierra, Acadia, Osiris, and Lillooet, arrived at a Chicago facility. The other two, Bertie Botts and Frankie, were relocated to SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas. These six belugas are part of a larger pod of 30 that resided at Marineland of Canada.
Following months of meticulous planning and veterinary evaluations, specialist teams are now overseeing the whales' adjustment to their new environments.