A beluga whale, part of a major relocation from Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ont., has passed away. Oceanogràfic de València confirmed the sudden death of Jelly Bean, who arrived at the aquarium in Spain less than a month ago along with another beluga named Cleopatra and four dolphins. Despite showing signs of improvement after facing feeding difficulties, Jelly Bean’s condition deteriorated, leading to her unexpected death.
The veterinary team at Oceanogràfic will conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of Jelly Bean’s death. Meanwhile, Cleopatra and the dolphins are reported to be in good health. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson expressed sadness over the loss and acknowledged the efforts made by the Canadian government to ensure the safe rescue of the whales. However, two other belugas, Peekachu and Rain, also died shortly after being relocated.
Animal Justice’s executive director, Camille Labchuk, highlighted the stress involved in transporting animals and warned of potential health risks. Labchuk criticized the lack of transparency in the health assessments before the transfers and emphasized the need for more proactive planning in such situations. Marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose echoed concerns about the well-being of the belugas during transportation, emphasizing the unfamiliar and stressful nature of the process.
The relocation of the belugas from Marineland was prompted by financial difficulties at the park, leading to the transfer of all 30 belugas and four dolphins to various facilities in the U.S. and Spain. Despite the challenges faced, Oceanogràfic emphasized that each rescued animal was treated according to its specific needs. Unfortunately, Jelly Bean’s death marks a somber moment for the team caring for her.