A dolphin that was relocated from Marineland has passed away in Spain, marking the fifth death of an animal from the now-closed Niagara Falls, Ontario, tourist spot following a significant transfer of whales and dolphins during the summer.
The Oceanogràfic de València confirmed the death of Echo, a blind Black Sea bottlenose dolphin estimated to be around 30 years old, on Wednesday. According to Oceanogràfic, Echo started experiencing difficulties with swallowing and breathing, leading to her transfer to the medical pool. Despite the efforts of the veterinary teams, her condition worsened rapidly, resulting in her passing overnight.
Echo, along with three other dolphins and two belugas, were transported to Oceanogràfic on a lengthy 19-hour journey from the closed attraction in Niagara Falls on August 26. The institution is currently conducting necropsies on both deceased animals in collaboration with pathology experts from CEU Cardenal Herrera University to determine the cause of death.
While the other four rescued animals from Canada are reportedly in good health under the care of Oceanogràfic’s professional teams, Echo’s demise has deeply impacted the Oceanogràfic staff who were dedicated to her well-being due to her unique needs.
Since the relocation of 30 belugas and four dolphins from Marineland to various parks over the summer, four belugas and one dolphin have now perished. Three belugas died at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, along with one of the resident belugas.
Marineland, which shut down in 2024 citing financial constraints and an inability to care for the whales, was on the verge of euthanizing the animals before the relocation. A deal with Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China was vetoed by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, who highlighted the differences in animal captivity laws between China and Canada.
In response to the looming euthanasia threat, Marineland sought emergency funding and eventually collaborated with a group of American and Spanish aquariums for the relocation process that concluded in late August.
Both Shedd Aquarium and Oceanogràfic are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the animals’ deaths to gain a better understanding of the situation. The health clearance for transport was granted by veterinarians from all parks, including Thompson, who approved the moves after reviewing updated health reports.
