World News
Beluga whale dies at Chicago aquarium following relocation from Canadian park
A 23-year-old female beluga died shortly after being moved to Shedd Aquarium as part of a rescue plan for animals from Ontario's closed Marineland.
The short version
- A 23-year-old beluga whale named Peekachu died suddenly at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium after being transferred from Marineland in Ontario.
- The transfer was part of a larger government-approved effort to relocate Canada's remaining captive whales and dolphins after Marineland closed in 2024.
- A necropsy is planned to determine the official cause of death after caretakers noticed signs of severe dehydration.
Key facts
- The beluga whale Peekachu died on Tuesday at Shedd Aquarium while staff attempted to rehydrate her with food and medicine.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Blood tests taken earlier in the day indicated the whale was dehydrated despite initial signs of progress following the transport.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Peekachu was one of eight belugas transferred to Shedd Aquarium this summer from Marineland, which shut down in 2024.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- The Canadian government approved an export plan in January to send Marineland's 30 belugas and four dolphins to five facilities across the U.S. and Spain.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Provincial records and official statements indicate 20 whales have died at Marineland since 2019.[ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The exact medical cause of Peekachu's death remains unknown pending the release of a full necropsy report by Shedd Aquarium.[ABC News · Associated Press]