Twenty-eight beluga whales from a closed Canadian theme park are headed to U.S. aquariums following an approved emergency import. The theme park, Marineland, ceased public operations in 2024 but still holds the whales. Due to resource limitations, Marineland announced the need for relocation or funding to avoid euthanasia.

The whales will move from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario to accredited aquariums such as SeaWorld locations in San Antonio and San Diego, Georgia Aquarium, and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Additionally, two whales will be relocated to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain, pending permit approval by the Spanish government.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated the relocation ensures the belugas receive necessary medical care unavailable in Canada. According to a statement, there are no suitable facilities in Canada capable of attending to their needs.

Daphné Lemelin captured an image of a Marineland poster at the park’s closed entrance in November 2025.

The relocation process, focusing on whale comfort and safety, will take several weeks. Concerns over animal treatment at Marineland have increased, with 20 whale deaths reported since 2019. Canada enacted a law in 2019 to end whale and dolphin captivity.

Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson conditionally approved the whales’ transfer in January. Final export authorization awaits veterinary health checks for each whale, according to a statement from Thompson.