While this will be the largest rescue in our history, we’ve been involved in the successful rescues of belugas before. We assisted with the rescue of a stranded beluga calf in Alaska, and we were part of the team that successfully rescued the two belugas from war-torn Ukraine to their new home in Spain.
We’ve also been caring for beluga whales since the Aquarium opened in 2005. Our team of experts have decades of experience in beluga care, nutrition, training, physiology, research, and transport logistics.
By having beluga whales in our care, we are able to more closely study this Arctic species. From learning more about their metabolic process to analyzing their vocalizations, we’ve contributed and assisted in major research programs in the last twenty years.
To learn more about our beluga whale research, click here.
Become a beluga whale brainiac by reading all things beluga on our Animal Guide here.
Better yet, want to see our beluga pod in action? Check out our beluga whales webcam any time.*Webcams may periodically be offline for webcam maintenance, internet outages, or animal safety
THE RESCUE MISSION
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.
Marineland of Canada is a closed marine park in Niagara Falls, ON. The park is in financial crisis and no longer able to continue the care of 30 beluga whales that reside there. Over the last several months, a consortium of aquariums have collaborated on an exhaustive rescue plan to rehome all the beluga whales. 28 whales will be welcomed at several U.S. aquariums: Georgia Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, SeaWorld San Diego, and SeaWorld San Antonio. Two beluga whales will be welcomed at Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.
After months of planning and seeking necessary permits, the Canadian and U.S. governments gave authorizations needed to begin the rescue process.
Teams immediately began transport logistics and preparations. The first few transports have already occurred and animals arrived safely to their new respective homes in the U.S.
The health, safety, and wellbeing of all the whales is our priority. This process will take as long as it needs to for their welfare.
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.
Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world with more than 11 million gallons of water and tens of thousands of animals. Located in Atlanta, Ga., it is a premier animal care and research facility that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Attractions, Humane Certified by American Humane, and a Class R research institution certified by the USDA. By providing guests with unparalleled opportunities to learn about marine life, Georgia Aquarium is dedicated to unlocking the ocean’s wonder for all, providing transformative experiences that inspire a shared responsibility for conserving our aquatic ecosystems.
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