Animal Justice has urged Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to look into the demise of Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga whale from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., at a Chicago aquarium. The national animal law advocacy group has also demanded a pause in the ongoing transfer of marine mammals from the closed theme park until a thorough investigation is conducted.
Peekachu was transported to Shedd Aquarium on August 13 and passed away on August 25. Kaitlyn Mitchell, the legal advocacy director at Animal Justice, has written to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, requesting DFO to ascertain how Peekachu was cleared for transport despite evident health issues.
Prior to the relocation, accredited Canadian veterinarians were required to conduct health assessments on the whales. A source disclosed to CBC News in January that Marineland had to confirm these assessments in writing.
Shedd Aquarium revealed that Peekachu suffered from dehydration and poor appetite. The aquarium stated that Peekachu suddenly died while receiving medical attention, with a necropsy underway.
DFO has stated that appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety of the whales. The Canadian government issued the necessary CITES permits after reviewing the transportation plan and granted Fisheries Act authorizations following individual health assessments for each whale.
Animal Justice’s letter also calls for the suspension of the relocation of the six remaining belugas, the last captive whales in Canada, until an investigation into Peekachu’s death is finalized, and the health of the other whales is confirmed for the journey.
Marineland had initially planned to send its belugas and dolphins to an aquarium in China, but the move was blocked by Ottawa due to a 2019 law prohibiting whale and dolphin captivity, breeding, and performances. Following the intervention, Marineland sought assistance from American and Spanish aquariums, including SeaWorld locations and the Georgia Aquarium.
Concerns have been raised by Naomi Rose, a marine mammal biologist at the Animal Welfare Institute, regarding the well-being of the relocated whales. She supports Animal Justice’s appeal for an investigation and expressed worries about potential additional whale deaths due to stress during transportation.
Rose highlighted the challenges faced by the whales during relocation, emphasizing the need for accountability and better handling of the animals to minimize stress and health risks. She also mentioned that two of the three whales that died at Mystic Aquarium after being moved from Marineland were diagnosed with storage disease postmortem.
The process of transporting the belugas to various facilities and separating them has raised concerns about increased stress levels among the whales. Rose suggested that Marineland should have considered sending the whales to a sanctuary instead of dispersing them to different locations.
In light of the complexities surrounding the transfer of the belugas, Rose emphasized the importance of finding the most suitable solution for the well-being of the animals. The ongoing debate over the fate of the remaining belugas underscores the need for careful consideration and responsible decision-making to ensure their safety and welfare.
