SeaWorld San Antonio is participating in an international effort to rescue 30 beluga whales stranded at a shuttered Canadian marine park. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently authorized the emergency rescue of the whales living at Marineland of Canada, a marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario that closed in 2024 and is no longer able to provide for the whales’ long-term care.
Rescue Efforts
SeaWorld San Antonio is one of several aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums participating in the effort, alongside SeaWorld San Diego, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Georgia Aquarium and Oceanogràfic Valencia in Spain. Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut is also providing logistical support but will not receive animals.
SeaWorld San Antonio officials said dedicated animal care teams will soon travel to Canada to assess the whales’ health and prepare them for transport. Once Canadian veterinarians determine individual whales are healthy enough to travel, aquarium staff will accompany them to their new homes.
The rescue effort will take several weeks to complete, SeaWorld said. The park did not say how many whales, if any, will ultimately come to San Antonio, adding that details could change as the operation moves forward.
Long-Term Care
When the whales arrive at their new facilities, they will receive specialized veterinary care, managed diets, monitored water quality and around-the-clock medical support, according to a spokesperson for SeaWorld.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
