Beluga rescued from Marineland dies at SeaWorld San Diego
The nine-year-old male beluga stopped eating and an ultrasound showed his intestinal tract was not functioning normally.
SAN DIEGO — A nine-year-old male beluga whale rescued from Marineland in Ontario has died at SeaWorld San Diego.
The aquarium said in a Facebook post that Cyprus, which arrived at the park on Aug. 22, stopped eating on Friday.
An ultrasound later determined the animal’s intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally.
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SeaWorld San Diego said Cyprus had been doing well since his arrival, eating consistently and interacting with his trainers and animal care team, along with two other rescued belugas.
But it noted belugas can mask discomfort or underlying concerns that are not immediately visible, and it said a full necropsy will be conducted.
“As we have indicated, this process will take a considerable amount of time. Our commitment to the health, well-being and care of these belugas, like every animal we rescue, continues,” the facility said in its social media post on Sunday.
It said that after the necropsy is completed, the cause of Cyprus’s death will be shared with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The aquarium said the other rescued belugas in its care are in stable health and remain under close monitoring as they continue to adjust to their surroundings.
Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., had said it was running out of money and could no longer care for the last captive whales and dolphins in Canada.
Thirty of its belugas and four dolphins were transferred to other facilities in a mass relocation effort.
Less than two weeks ago, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago said Caspian, a 27-year-old female beluga that was relocated from Marineland, died despite efforts to save her.
Caspian had not been eating properly and blood samples showed abnormalities in her electrolyte levels, Shedd said.
The aquarium said it performed necropsies on Peekachu and Rain, two other Marineland whales that died there, and concluded that they had chronic, pre-existing diseases.
A beluga named Jelly Bean and a dolphin named Echo also died at Oceanografic Valencia in Spain after the move.
Nosy Mag reported in September that a fourth beluga, Osiris, had died after relocation to Chicago.
The death of Cyprus adds to the number of deaths of animals relocated over the summer from the now-closed Canadian facility.
With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and CBC News