Marineland belugas’ ‘emergency rescue’ has begun, leaving Niagara Falls, Ont., for U.S. aquariums

The first group of Marineland beluga whales that have been at a permanently closed theme park and zoo in Niagara Falls, Ont., are beginning their journey to their new home in the U.S.

Six belugas are being moved starting Monday, part of the first wave in a transport plan that could see up to 30 of the remaining whales rehomed over the next few weeks.

Marineland told The Canadian Press that relocation of the whales has begun. 

When contacted earlier by CBC News, a spokesperson said in a statement, “I am unable to confirm any details regarding the move at this time.”

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CBC News also spoke to a source that said the belugas would be transported on at least one flight from Hamilton’s airport. The source isn’t being named as the individual is not authorized to speak on the matter. 

On Monday afternoon, a CBC reporter observed four Paddock Transport International trucks, two DeSantis Crane Service cranes and two vehicles with “escort vehicle” badges on them entering the Marineland property. 

Niagara Regional Police Service confirmed in an email that the service is “assisting with traffic control in support of the transportation.”

The whales have been living under the threat of euthanasia since last fall, when Marineland’s request to export them to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China was denied by the federal government.

The theme park and zoo in Niagara Falls was closed to the public in 2024, following the deaths of owners John Holer and Marie Holer. Since its closure, staff have continued to care for the remaining animals, but there were concerns the park was running out of funding to properly care for the whales. 

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) last month endorsed a plan that would see all 30 remaining whales split up and sent to either Oceanogràfic València in Spain or one of four U.S. locations: Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and two SeaWorld facilities, in San Diego, Calif., and San Antonio, Texas.

However, still needed were medical exams of each animal by Canadian veterinarians to ensure their health for travel.

Earlier this month, the collective of Associated of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited aquariums involved in the rehoming operation confirmed in a statement that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the U.S. “authorized an emergency rescue for several whales at Marineland,” paving the way for the whales to cross the border. 

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The statement said that once the whales are approved for travel, “aquarium experts will accompany the animals to their new homes where they will be met with diverse seafood to meet their nutritional needs, high quality environments with guaranteed water quality and onsite medical care should they require it at any time.”

Also required was final signoff from the Canadian government by way of export permits. According to the Fisheries Act, these permits can be given if it’s in the best interest of the whales to leave the country.