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A beluga whale rescued from the now-closed Marineland facility in Ontario has died at SeaWorld San Diego, marking another loss among the animals relocated from the Canadian park earlier this year.
SeaWorld San Diego announced on Sunday via Facebook that Cyprus, a nine-year-old male beluga, stopped eating on Friday. An ultrasound examination then revealed that his intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally. Cyprus had arrived at the California aquarium on August 22.
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According to SeaWorld, Cyprus had been doing well since his arrival. He ate consistently and interacted regularly with trainers and animal care staff. He also spent time with two other rescued belugas housed at the facility. However, SeaWorld noted that belugas can mask discomfort and underlying health issues that are not immediately visible.
Necropsy Planned and Results to Be Shared
SeaWorld San Diego confirmed that a full necropsy will be conducted to determine the cause of Cyprus’s death. After the examination is complete, the facility plans to share its findings with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In a statement posted to social media, SeaWorld said: “As we have indicated, this process will take a considerable amount of time. Our commitment to the health, well-being and care of these belugas, like every animal we rescue, continues.”
Meanwhile, the two other Marineland belugas currently in SeaWorld’s care remain in stable health. Staff continue to monitor them closely as they adjust to their new surroundings.
A Series of Deaths Following the Marineland Relocation
The death of Cyprus adds to a growing number of losses connected to the mass relocation effort from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The park had stated it was running out of money and could no longer care for Canada’s last captive whales and dolphins. As a result, 30 belugas and four dolphins were transferred to other facilities over the summer.
Less than two weeks before Cyprus died, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium reported the death of Caspian, a 27-year-old female beluga also relocated from Marineland. Caspian had not been eating properly, and blood tests revealed abnormalities in her electrolyte levels.
Shedd Aquarium also performed necropsies on two other Marineland whales, Peekachu and Rain, both of which died at the Chicago facility. Those examinations concluded that both animals had chronic, pre-existing diseases.
Furthermore, a beluga named Jelly Bean and a dolphin named Echo died at Oceanografic Valencia in Spain following their transfer from the Canadian park. The deaths across multiple facilities have raised ongoing concerns about the health of the animals involved in the relocation effort.
