SeaWorld San Antonio has successfully completed the second phase of an unprecedented international rescue operation, welcoming seven female beluga whales to its facility on Tuesday. The animals were transported nearly 2,000 miles from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada, a theme park that has closed its doors to the public.
The transfer represents the largest single beluga whale relocation ever undertaken in the United States. The seven females, identified as Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva, and Calypso, join two males who made the same journey last month, marking significant progress in efforts to rehome dozens of marine mammals left without adequate care following Marineland’s closure.
Steve Aibel, SeaWorld San Antonio’s vice president of zoological operations, confirmed that the operation proceeded without incident. The whales are currently housed in a private habitat away from public viewing areas, where veterinary staff and animal care specialists are conducting thorough health assessments and monitoring their adjustment to the new environment.
The complexity of such a relocation cannot be understated. Each whale weighs more than 1,200 pounds and requires specialized equipment for safe transport. The journey involved custom water-filled transport units loaded onto flatbed trucks, followed by air transport via cargo plane. Aibel himself accompanied the animals throughout their journey, ensuring their welfare during the critical transition.
This marks the second successful phase of the rescue effort. Last month, two male belugas, Frankie and Bertie Botts, completed the same journey to San Antonio, while four additional whales were relocated to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. According to SeaWorld caretakers, the two males are adapting well to their new surroundings and are being gradually introduced to the facility’s existing beluga population.
The ongoing operation highlights the challenges facing marine parks and aquariums when facilities close or can no longer provide adequate care for their animals. Marineland’s closure left dozens of marine mammals requiring new homes, necessitating coordinated efforts among multiple institutions across North America.
SeaWorld’s involvement in this rescue operation demonstrates the role established marine facilities play in animal welfare when crisis situations arise. The park’s infrastructure and experienced staff provide the resources necessary to care for these complex marine mammals, which require specialized habitats, nutrition, and veterinary care.
The belugas will remain in their private acclimation area for an undetermined period while staff ensure they are healthy and adjusting properly to their new environment. Each animal receives individualized attention, including tailored nutrition plans and regular veterinary examinations.
Additional relocations from Marineland are expected in the coming weeks as the international rescue effort continues. The coordinated response involves marine mammal specialists, veterinarians, transportation experts, and regulatory officials from both the United States and Canada working to ensure the animals’ safe transfer and long-term welfare.
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