Chicago aquarium shares health update on Marineland belugas after whale deaths

September 7, 2026 - 03:27

CHICAGO - The Shedd Aquarium has released a detailed health assessment for the beluga whales it received from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, following recent deaths at the Canadian facility. The aquarium confirmed that several of the relocated animals are dealing with ongoing medical conditions, though it stopped short of calling any of them critical.

The update comes after public scrutiny intensified when multiple belugas died at Marineland over the past year. The Shedd took in a group of whales as part of a cooperative transfer agreement, which was meant to provide newer, larger habitats and better veterinary care. Now, the aquarium says those animals are showing signs of chronic stress and digestive issues, as well as skin lesions that require regular treatment.

Veterinarians at the Shedd noted that the whales are eating and swimming, but they are not yet at full baseline health. The aquarium declined to give exact numbers of affected animals, citing privacy around individual medical records. However, staff said they are working with outside marine mammal specialists to adjust diets and medication plans.

The update also addressed the broader controversy around Marineland, which has faced repeated animal welfare complaints. The Shedd emphasized that its priority is the long-term rehabilitation of the transferred belugas, not assigning blame. Still, animal rights groups have called for a full independent review of all beluga transfers from Marineland, arguing that moving stressed whales between facilities does not solve underlying welfare problems.

The Shedd said it will provide monthly progress reports going forward, but it warned that recovery could take months or longer. The aquarium also asked the public to avoid speculation about individual whales, noting that some conditions are manageable but not curable.