Captive Beluga Whales in the U.S. & Canada

ThylacineAlive said:
Is Chimelong a circus act aquarium? I'm not overly familiar with Chinese facilities either, but I know the facility houses a large number of marine mammal species and from photos online the habitats don't look bad to me. Certainly not below the standard of many others. I understand they do shows with their animals and I have no idea on their husbandry, but on the surface they don't look like an awful facility.

~Thylo
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No, not necessarily. More like Seaworld was a few decades ago. By all means, not a 'circus act'.

I don't know re. the belugas specifically, but from what I've seen, the orcas receive great husbandry practice. They have industry experts they've brought from around the world to lead their orca program - and the results have been promising thus far, especially breeding wise.
 
Jambo said:
No, not necessarily. More like Seaworld was a few decades ago. By all means, not a 'circus act'.

I don't know re. the belugas specifically, but from what I've seen, the orcas receive great husbandry practice. They have industry experts they've brought from around the world to lead their orca program - and the results have been promising thus far, especially breeding wise.
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Not to sidetrack but don't they keep and breed Yangtze Finless Porpoises as well?

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Is Chimelong a circus act aquarium? I'm not overly familiar with Chinese facilities either, but I know the facility houses a large number of marine mammal species and from photos online the habitats don't look bad to me. Certainly not below the standard of many others. I understand they do shows with their animals and I have no idea on their husbandry, but on the surface they don't look like an awful facility.

~Thylo
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Calling Marineland a cesspool, and Chimelong a circus, was hyperbolic language to emphasize my frustration with the current situation, and lack of impetus shown by US facilities to safeguard the future of the captive Beluga population.

If it is a choice between Marinelands Belugas staying put, and going to Chimelong, I think the latter is the better outcome. I do find the large scale capture of wild Cetaceans by Chinese aquariums including Chimelong quite disturbing. More than 200 Belugas over the past five years... Here's hoping that if this export goes ahead, it prevents 30 more from being ripped from there wild pods.
 
Does anyone know the inventory count for belugas at Chimelong?
I visited recently and only saw 3 in the show, and 2 on exhibit. I'm wondering if many died out, thats why they can fit 30 more.

Also side note the spotted dolphins have all died out sadly, and 2 remaining Chinese white dolphins are on exhibit in the old PWSD exhibit at Kingdom. I only saw 3 PWSD dolphins on exhibit in Spaceship.
 
MidwestFan said:
Permit to export Marineland belugas to China denied. Future in limbo as funds run out to care for remaining animals.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/marineland-belugas-export-denied-1.7647908
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US aquariums need to mobilize very quickly to do something. Or literally have DFO reconsider! Or provide Marineland with the continued support and resources. I don’t know how likely that is though when historically the facility has never accepted public money.
That same article mentions they’re filing for bankruptcy and talks of euthanasia :(
 
JVM said:
To read in the same article, the idea of patting one on the back that the animals shouldn't be "returned to captive exploitation" and then the reality they will probably be euthanized... unsettling.
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She- the minister is completely biased! Ford admittedly has the right concept, small transfers here and there.
Yet again another facility’s animals caught in the crossfire due to politics.
 
BlobfishBoy said:
Perhaps emergency permits could be filed to allow at least some of these whales into the US? That’s how Tilikum was imported in.
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HawkAlot said:
As someone said above - I highly doubt many US facilities are keen to get involved in this mess now, permit or not.
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Seaworld desperately needed Tilikum to continue their breeding program. The situation is not as precarious with the Belugas.

I don't see them getting involved too - but it would very much be best case scenairo, rather than seeing them euthanised.
 
yahnih said:
The irony of anti-caps prefer euthanasia ~ they would rather restrict animals a second chance at life with zero choice for life
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It is quite sad - and ARA crowd isn't going to stop until there are no zoos, aquariums, pets, etc. I know it is bad PR for the facilities, and the ARA crowd is loud, but I do think that the AZA and all of the members and supporters could be louder... Take a stand or watch the species disappear in their institutions...
 
News; Marineland has requested for emergency funding, or there may be possibility of euthanasia as early as next week :(
Incredibly frightening.
“A source working with Marineland on this file told CBC News what's left of the company is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy after one of its lenders pulled funding amid the uncertainty over the export permits”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/marineland-beluga-whales-euthanize-1.7651009

Credit to Bruck_Lab for this Facebook post and actions you can take:
Tell DFO Director Joanna Thompson to grant Export Permits to Relocate Marineland’s Remaining Belugas!

Canada’s federal government has denied Marineland’s request to export 30 beluga whales to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. This denial effectively prevents the only currently proposed plan for relocation.

In 2024 Marineland Canada largely ceased operations, shutting its doors to the public. The facility’s revenue streams have evaporated, making it increasingly difficult to maintain care, feed the animals, and retain staff. Without a viable means to support the whales in Canada, Marineland’s owners have suggested that bankruptcy or forced liquidation may follow, which may lead to the euthanasia of 30 beluga whales
In her announcement, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said she “could not in good conscience approve the export,” arguing that granting the permit would mean a “continued life in captivity … a return to public entertainment.” We must ask ourselves, would the animals participating in an educational show that highlights the need for conservation and good welfare science be bad? Marine Mammal Scientists have already committed to working with whoever gets these animals to ensure that any public presentation includes the best most up to date research on their biology, behavior, conservation, and welfare. Surely this alternative beats killing these amazing animals.

While her emotional appeal to “look into the whales’ eyes” underscores her sympathy, policy decisions of this scale should rest on science, welfare standards, and long-term planning- not sentiment alone.

It is sometimes suggested that these belugas could be “freed into the ocean,” but that is not a realistic option. Belugas held in long-term managed care lose essential survival skills and are unlikely to survive on their own in the wild (this point is supported by many marine mammal experts).

Some supporters advocate for a beluga sanctuary in Nova Scotia. That sanctuary is not yet operational and cannot currently accept these whales. They lack local permissions to build their sea pen and multiple academic sources have raised serious concerns with their plans, given the failure of similar projects: see Bruck (2014), The Cetacean Sanctuary: A Sea of Unknowns, and Almunia & Canchal (2025), Cetacean Sanctuaries: Do They Guarantee Better Welfare?, these works argue that creating and operating effective sanctuaries for large whales is complex, uncertain, and potentially dangerous to the health and welfare of these amazing animals.

Therefore, the only option is to allow the animals to go to an accredited facility with strong welfare standards. This is their only remaining hope for continued life in proper care with access to veterinary support, nutrition, appropriate social structures, and effectively managed habitats.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Write to Fisheries Minister Joanna Thompson: joanne.thompson@parl.gc.ca

o Urge her to reconsider and approve export permits under the Fisheries Act for safe, accredited relocation.

o Emphasize that refusing all exports condemns the whales to remain in a facility without funds to support adequate care.

o Remind her that no whale sanctuary (under the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries standards) has ever been successful in keeping belugas with animals housed this way repeatedly needing to return to tanks due to stress (Bruck, 2024; Almunia and Canchal, 2025).

2. Call her office: +1 709-772-7171 (St. John’s, Newfoundland)

o Leave a clear message: the lives of these 30 belugas are at stake.

3. Email DFO Headquarters: DFO.Minister-Ministre.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

o Copy the minister’s office, and underscore that the decision should follow scientific welfare criteria, not purely emotional reaction.

Together, we can make sure these belugas are not forgotten - and that they have a chance at a dignified life in a proper zoological environment!
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CetaBase said:
Another beluga died at Marineland Canada ~ August 17, 2025 - I believe it was a male, but that is purely speculative on my part.
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The male that died in mid-August was Andre. The remaining 30 whales are Marineland are:

Gemini, Xena, Caspian, Cleopatra, Osiris, Sierra, Peekachu, Skyla, Orion, Tofino, Jelly Bean, Acadia, Lillooet, Meeka, Rain, Secord, Eve, Neva, Tank, Frankie, Xavier II, Cyprus, Jasper, Balor, Calypso, Yukon, Odin, Gimli, Zephyr, and Bertie.
 
Population updated to include updates to Marineland Canada.
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US Population

SWT (5.5)
Crissy F [WILD x WILD] (est 1988)
Martha F [WILD x WILD] (est 1988)
Naluark M [WILD x WILD] (est 1986)
Luna F [Luke* x Martina*] (b 07/24/2000)
Innik M [Imaq* x Crissy] (b 08/17/2017)
Tyonek M [WILD x WILD] (b 2017)
Atla F [Nanuq* x Luna] (b 06/23/2010)
Pearl F [Nanuq* x Ruby*] (b 06/23/2010)
Tulok M [Naluark x Luna] (b 07/25/2021)
Rurik M [? X Luna] (b 06/28/2024)

SWF (2.0)
Samson M [Imaq* x Luna] (b 07/09/2013)
Kenai M [Imaq* x Luna] (b 08/11/2016)

SWC (2.1)
Allua F [WILD x WILD] (est 1985)
Klondike M [? X Xena] (b 07/13/2002)
Oliver M [Nanuq* x Martina*] (b 06/23/2007)

Mystic (1.4)
Natasha F [WILD x WILD] (est 1980)
Kelalukak F [WILD x WILD] (est 1981)
Juno M [? X Denise*] (b 07/06/2002)
Jetta F [? X Skyla] (b 07/17/2014)
Sahara F [? X Acadia] (b 07/23/2014)

Georgia (1.4)
Whisper F [Luke* x Crissy] (b 07/25/1999)
Maple F [? X Priscilla*] (b 07/02/2005)
Qinu F [Nanuq* x Sikku*] (b 07/31/2008)
Shila F [Naluark X Whisper] (b 05/17/2020)
Nunavik M [Naluark x Puiji*] (b 12/14/2009)

Shedd (5.3)
Beethoven M [Shadow* x Bandit*] (b 08/08/1992)
Naya F [WILD x WILD] (est 1989)
Aurek M [? X Gemini] (b 06/27/2003)
Bella F [Naluark x Puiji*] (b 07/17/2006)
Kimalu F [Naluark x Mauyak*] (b 08/27/2012)
Annik M [Aurek x Mauyak*] (b 07/03/2019)
Atlas M [Aurek X Bella] (b 08/21/2020)
Opus M [Beethoven X Naya] (b 07/24/2024)

Total US Population (33)
16.17
* Deceased

Canada Population

MarineLand Canada (13.17).
*Friendship Cove* (13)
Balor M (Andre* or Kodiak* x Peekachu) (b 07/21/2016)
Bertie Botts M (UNKNOWN x Jelly Bean) (b 2019)
Cyprus M (Andre* or Kodiak* x Cleopatra) (b 2016)
Frankie M (Andre* x Sierra) (b 06/11/2012)
Gimli M (UNKNOWN x Secord) (b 08/2019)
Jasper M (Andre* or Kodiak* x Meeka) (b 07/18/2016)
Odin M (UNKNOWN x Oriris) (b 07/2018)
Orion M (WILD x WILD) (c 2004)
Tank M (UNKNOWN x Acadia) (b 09/30/2011)
Tofino M (WILD x WILD) (c 2004)
Xavier II M (UNKNOWN x Xena) (b 06/24/2012)
Yukon M (UNKNOWN x Acadia) (b 07/2018)
Zephyr M (UNKNOWN x Rain) (b 08/11/2019)

*Artic Cove* (17)
Acadia F (WILD x WILD) (c 2008)
Calypso F (UNKNOWN x Gemini) (b 07/04/2018)
Caspian F (WILD x WILD) (c 2003)
Cleopatra F (WILD x WILD) (c 2003)
Eve F (UNKNOWN x Xena) (b 07/05/2008)
Gemini F (WILD x WILD) (c 1999)
Jelly Bean F (UNKNOWN x Jubilee*) (b 07/19/2007)
Lillooet F (WILD x WILD) (c 2008)
Meeka F (WILD x WILD) (c 2008)
Neva F (UNKNOWN x Cleopatra) (b 07/23/2009)
Osiris F (WILD x WILD) (c 2003)
Peekachu F (WILD x WILD) (c 2004)
Rain F (WILD x WILD) (c 2008)
Secord F (WILD x WILD) (c 2008)
Sierra F (WILD x WILD) (c 2003)
Skyla F (WILD x WILD) (c 2004)
Xena F (WILD x WILD) (c 1999)

Total Canada Population (30)
13.17
* Deceased
 
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