Six beluga whales have been transferred from a closed marine park in Canada to aquariums in the United States after the facility was no longer able to look after the animals.
The whales were among a pod of 30 belugas at Marineland of Canada that need new homes. According to BBC News, the relocation marks the first phase of an international operation to move the animals from the Canadian site.
Four of the whales, named Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet, were taken to a facility in Chicago. Two others, Bertie Botts and Frankie, were moved to SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas.
The transfer involved both road and air travel. The belugas were carried in specialist cold-water containers designed for the journey and were accompanied at all times by marine mammal veterinarians.
The move followed months of preparation, including veterinary assessments before the animals were cleared for transport. Specialist teams are now watching over the whales as they adapt to their new surroundings.
The relocation is described as an unprecedented international effort, with the remaining belugas from Marineland of Canada still requiring rehoming. Further transfers are expected to form part of the broader operation, although no additional details were provided in the supplied material.
