Georgia Aquarium is part of a consortium of Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facilities rescuing the beluga whales at Marineland of Canada. Saving animals, anywhere, is at the core of who we are. Learn more and how you can be a champion for rescued animals.
Mission Critical: Rescuing Beluga Whales
The Story Behind the Headlines
On September 1, 2026, the consortium of AZA-accredited aquarium successfully completed the rescue of all 30 beluga whales and four dolphins from Marineland of Canada. In all, 16 belugas went to SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld San Antonio, 10 belugas to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, two belugas to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and two belugas and four dolphins to Oceanografic in Valencia, Spain.
This project is the largest marine mammal rescue and transport in history.
A total of six rescue transports took place over a six-week timeframe, involving both ground and air travel in three countries, with complex logistics coordinated by Intradco Global. Some rescues involved two destinations, like Georgia Aquarium’s transport which first stopped in Chicago. Other rescues, like the move to Valencia, Spain, happened as a standalone transport. The animals were moved in a particular order and in specific groups or “sub pods,” because of their pre-existing social bonds.
As the rescued whales and dolphins continue to acclimate, the aquariums will stay in close contact and share insights with one another concerning the animals. Caretakers expect it may take several months before the rescues are fully settled into their new surroundings.
Georgia Aquarium’s two newest beluga whales, Balor and Zephyr, are doing well and continue to settle in. More updates on Balor and Zephyr, and all the belugas now in the care of U.S. and Spanish aquariums will be shared on our social channels.
Why Georgia Aquarium?
No one is more suited or equipped to care for beluga whales than accredited aquariums. With decades of cetacean (whales and dolphins) experience in their health care, social dynamics, and physiology, rehoming the beluga whales to accredited aquariums is in their best interest. They will receive world-class health care, enriching interactions with their care team, specialized and individualized diets, and playful social groupings with the four other beluga whales at Georgia Aquarium.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about these whales. As our teams monitor them, we’ll learn more about the medical care they need and how we can tailor care to each individual animal. Some of these whales could be in need of long-term or critical care which we are prepared to provide.
-
1 / 8
-
2 / 8
-
3 / 8
-
4 / 8
-
5 / 8
-
6 / 8
-
7 / 8
-
8 / 8
Transporting Beluga Whales
Be a Champion for Animals in Need
We are uniquely positioned to be able to answer the call for help when animals are in need and we've always put rescuing and rehabilitating animals at the forefront of our mission. Saving animals from circumstances like wildlife trafficking, strandings, or when they simply need additional care — is not easy. Many of these animals require long-term or critical care even after being rescued.
