Two male beluga whales from the closed Marineland of Canada park in Niagara Falls have been transferred to an aquarium in the United States after a large-scale international rescue operation, CBS News reported.
The whales, ten-year-old Balor and seven-year-old Zephyr, are the first animals from the facility to arrive at their new home. They are currently in quarantine and adjusting to their new environment, where they will live in specially prepared conditions before eventually being introduced to the aquarium's other inhabitants.
Beluga whales, recognizable by their distinctive white color and rounded forehead melon, are social Arctic marine mammals. Moving large sea mammals across international boundaries requires specialized transit tanks, continuous water quality monitoring, and strict quarantine procedures to ensure animal health during acclimatization.
International rescue efforts
Marineland of Canada closed in 2024 following declining visitor attendance and public allegations of animal cruelty. After the facility went bankrupt, 30 beluga whales remained on its territory.
In October 2025, park representatives stated that the remaining whales would have to be killed if the Canadian government did not provide financial assistance. Canadian Minister Joanne Thompson rejected the appeal, placing full responsibility for the situation on the park itself.
Located near Niagara Falls in Ontario, Marineland operated for decades as a major marine theme park. The facility faced growing criticism from animal protection advocates and regulatory scrutiny in the years leading up to its closure.
Plans for remaining whales
The United States government previously confirmed that it will remove 28 beluga whales from the defunct Canadian venue. Representatives of American aquariums promised high-class conditions with guaranteed water quality and permanent medical care.
Another two belugas will be rescued by the Oceanographic Center of Valencia. The Spanish facility is currently awaiting permission from authorities in Spain before executing the transfer.
The Oceanographic Center of Valencia, situated in eastern Spain, is one of the largest oceanographic parks in Europe, housing diverse marine species in large-scale simulated aquatic environments.
