Captive Beluga Whales in the U.S. & Canada

Ceta Base has confirmed that Artemis, one of the belugas born at Marineland Canada in 2016, died last year on an unknown date. Twelve more belugas are allegedly dead since the park shut down in August of 2019, though Eos, Frankie, Aslan, Ikora, and one of the 2019 calves have been rumored to have died. The whereabouts of Mira and Qila were also called into question earlier in this thread when they were removed from Mystic Aquarium's import permit, but that's purely speculation. Ceta Base is currently referring to the population at Marineland as data deficient.
 
ketos said:
MLC currently houses 40 belugas - that number is confirmed independently of Phil's posts btw. Frankie, Eos, Mira and Qila are all still alive
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Thanks for the confirmation that their still alive, and is it out of the question that some of their females are pregnant
 
Mr.Ivory said:
Thanks for the confirmation that their still alive, and is it out of the question that some of their females are pregnant
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for my understanding, it is not possible, the 'boys' are all separated from the other groups (that are old enough to breed)
 
Marineland seems to be in a bad situation and the animals probably need to be "rescued" to better facilities. I would be concerned about being able to quarantine the belugas, dolphins, and orca at a new facility, as they may be carrying infections associated with their other illnesses.

Minnesota Zoo has a former cetacean exhibit (bottlenose dolphin exhibit) that currently houses one monk seal that is quite elderly. That seal could find a welcome home at the new pinniped exhibit at the Como Zoo, and the Minnesota Zoo could rescue some of the belugas. They have a history with belugas, although I doubt anyone currently on staff has any experience as it was some time ago.

Point Defiance Zoo also has history with belugas, although the exhibit currently houses pinnipeds as well. Not sure they could hold any at this point.

All 3 SeaWorld facilities have BTS pools that could hold animals in quarantine and needing medical care as well, although they would really have to highlight the rescue component, as the ARAs would have a heyday I'm sure if any of the whales died despite coming potentially ill.

I don't think Shedd or Georgia Aquarium really have the room to quarantine any belugas. Mystic could potentially, if they were willing to take more.

The orca would probably need to go to a SeaWorld facility if she stayed in North America. Which I would prefer vs Russian or Asia.

The bottlenose dolphins could really find a home in many places and some have facilities to quarantine.

The walrus should also be moved, and Point Defiance would seem logical, as they have an empty walrus exhibit currently occupied by sea lions.

Numerous seals and sea lions also, not to mention their land animals.

I am sure it will all come down to the highest bid though looking at the history of Marineland. A sad situation for all of the animals and the staff that care deeply for the animals.
 
MidwestFan said:
Marineland seems to be in a bad situation and the animals probably need to be "rescued" to better facilities. I would be concerned about being able to quarantine the belugas, dolphins, and orca at a new facility, as they may be carrying infections associated with their other illnesses.

Minnesota Zoo has a former cetacean exhibit (bottlenose dolphin exhibit) that currently houses one monk seal that is quite elderly. That seal could find a welcome home at the new pinniped exhibit at the Como Zoo, and the Minnesota Zoo could rescue some of the belugas. They have a history with belugas, although I doubt anyone currently on staff has any experience as it was some time ago.

Point Defiance Zoo also has history with belugas, although the exhibit currently houses pinnipeds as well. Not sure they could hold any at this point.

All 3 SeaWorld facilities have BTS pools that could hold animals in quarantine and needing medical care as well, although they would really have to highlight the rescue component, as the ARAs would have a heyday I'm sure if any of the whales died despite coming potentially ill.

I don't think Shedd or Georgia Aquarium really have the room to quarantine any belugas. Mystic could potentially, if they were willing to take more.

The orca would probably need to go to a SeaWorld facility if she stayed in North America. Which I would prefer vs Russian or Asia.

The bottlenose dolphins could really find a home in many places and some have facilities to quarantine.

The walrus should also be moved, and Point Defiance would seem logical, as they have an empty walrus exhibit currently occupied by sea lions.

Numerous seals and sea lions also, not to mention their land animals.

I am sure it will all come down to the highest bid though looking at the history of Marineland. A sad situation for all of the animals and the staff that care deeply for the animals.
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Minnesota's pool was barley big enough for the dolphins, I think it would be a bad idea to put Belugas in there.
 
MidwestFan said:
Marineland seems to be in a bad situation and the animals probably need to be "rescued" to better facilities. I would be concerned about being able to quarantine the belugas, dolphins, and orca at a new facility, as they may be carrying infections associated with their other illnesses.

Minnesota Zoo has a former cetacean exhibit (bottlenose dolphin exhibit) that currently houses one monk seal that is quite elderly. That seal could find a welcome home at the new pinniped exhibit at the Como Zoo, and the Minnesota Zoo could rescue some of the belugas. They have a history with belugas, although I doubt anyone currently on staff has any experience as it was some time ago.

Point Defiance Zoo also has history with belugas, although the exhibit currently houses pinnipeds as well. Not sure they could hold any at this point.

All 3 SeaWorld facilities have BTS pools that could hold animals in quarantine and needing medical care as well, although they would really have to highlight the rescue component, as the ARAs would have a heyday I'm sure if any of the whales died despite coming potentially ill.

I don't think Shedd or Georgia Aquarium really have the room to quarantine any belugas. Mystic could potentially, if they were willing to take more.

The orca would probably need to go to a SeaWorld facility if she stayed in North America. Which I would prefer vs Russian or Asia.

The bottlenose dolphins could really find a home in many places and some have facilities to quarantine.

The walrus should also be moved, and Point Defiance would seem logical, as they have an empty walrus exhibit currently occupied by sea lions.

Numerous seals and sea lions also, not to mention their land animals.

I am sure it will all come down to the highest bid though looking at the history of Marineland. A sad situation for all of the animals and the staff that care deeply for the animals.
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I was writing about this just yesterday, especially with the "rumors" of Marineland's sale going around. As a hypothetical what-if, if the park was bought by an entertainment company, I believe all cetaceans will remain on site while continuing to be phased out, with the exclusion of possible future beluga transfers in relatively small numbers. Cetaceans legally have no future at the park so I don't foresee much being invested into development for them except towards life support and likely a new look and redesign for King Waldorf Theater and it's holding, which could continue to be utilized into the future with pinnipeds (since, essentially, under such a situation the park would be forced to remain under a marine park theme to a significant extent anyway).

If not an entertainment company, rehoming those 40 beluga whales each of which have underlying health conditions to some degree (if I'm remembering the statement of Mystic's vet correctly, please correct me if not as I don't want to make false claims against any facility) is going to be a huge undertaking. The beluga sanctuary has a self-imposed capacity of 10; there's a potential option for 8 of the whales, but ironically I could only envision the healthiest and most robust of the animals being able to go to this sanctuary, with others requiring care at traditional facilities. And even then, I'm not sure of the capacity in their indoor holding facility. Oceanografic was intended to house two, so that's ten out of 40. China is absolutely a valid option, should the exports be allowed by the Canadian government; there is currently a six-month hold on cetacean exports in Russia that's going into effect in September, but even before this Chinese facilities have been moving towards importing long-term captive animals vs directly wild-caught. Those two factors combined means China would likely be highly interested in Marineland's animals, a great deal of which are proven breeding stock. I doubt that would place all of the animals, but it would make a significant dent, with the rest being dispersed to other interested and qualified institutions.

I don't necessarily agree that transfer is the best for the whales, I personally would love to see their needs invested into while at Marineland, be it in life support or additional staff or whatever may be needed, but this is a hypothetical of a scenario that I personally believe to be feasible and realistic if the park was to be bought out...

Euthanasia has been in the cards for Kiska for years. I don't believe she'll ever be moved, and I don't believe SeaWorld would take her if she was, as much as I would love to see her there.

The dolphins would possibly need to go to China or Japan as well, I don't see a lot of facilities in the US wanting to touch five animals captured in Russian waters post-2000s, particularly when there's no genetic need. It's unfortunate that Asian facilities are automatically discriminated against when many uphold the same standards of housing and care as any facility in North America or anywhere else.

I don't believe a proven walrus cow in the prime of her life and her genetically valuable bull calf would go to Point Defiance, which doesn't have the capacity for a breeding herd -- Quebec is in need of a cow, and there are captive born cows around Koyuk's age that he could be paired with in the future.

All of this, of course, is purely speculation based on a rumor. Maybe Marineland's not being sold, and maybe things will carry on as is. I only find the discourse interesting :)
 
csartie said:
I was writing about this just yesterday, especially with the "rumors" of Marineland's sale going around. As a hypothetical what-if, if the park was bought by an entertainment company, I believe all cetaceans will remain on site while continuing to be phased out, with the exclusion of possible future beluga transfers in relatively small numbers. Cetaceans legally have no future at the park so I don't foresee much being invested into development for them except towards life support and likely a new look and redesign for King Waldorf Theater and it's holding, which could continue to be utilized into the future with pinnipeds (since, essentially, under such a situation the park would be forced to remain under a marine park theme to a significant extent anyway).

If not an entertainment company, rehoming those 40 beluga whales each of which have underlying health conditions to some degree (if I'm remembering the statement of Mystic's vet correctly, please correct me if not as I don't want to make false claims against any facility) is going to be a huge undertaking. The beluga sanctuary has a self-imposed capacity of 10; there's a potential option for 8 of the whales, but ironically I could only envision the healthiest and most robust of the animals being able to go to this sanctuary, with others requiring care at traditional facilities. And even then, I'm not sure of the capacity in their indoor holding facility. Oceanografic was intended to house two, so that's ten out of 40. China is absolutely a valid option, should the exports be allowed by the Canadian government; there is currently a six-month hold on cetacean exports in Russia that's going into effect in September, but even before this Chinese facilities have been moving towards importing long-term captive animals vs directly wild-caught. Those two factors combined means China would likely be highly interested in Marineland's animals, a great deal of which are proven breeding stock. I doubt that would place all of the animals, but it would make a significant dent, with the rest being dispersed to other interested and qualified institutions.

I don't necessarily agree that transfer is the best for the whales, I personally would love to see their needs invested into while at Marineland, be it in life support or additional staff or whatever may be needed, but this is a hypothetical of a scenario that I personally believe to be feasible and realistic if the park was to be bought out...

Euthanasia has been in the cards for Kiska for years. I don't believe she'll ever be moved, and I don't believe SeaWorld would take her if she was, as much as I would love to see her there.

The dolphins would possibly need to go to China or Japan as well, I don't see a lot of facilities in the US wanting to touch five animals captured in Russian waters post-2000s, particularly when there's no genetic need. It's unfortunate that Asian facilities are automatically discriminated against when many uphold the same standards of housing and care as any facility in North America or anywhere else.

I don't believe a proven walrus cow in the prime of her life and her genetically valuable bull calf would go to Point Defiance, which doesn't have the capacity for a breeding herd -- Quebec is in need of a cow, and there are captive born cows around Koyuk's age that he could be paired with in the future.

All of this, of course, is purely speculation based on a rumor. Maybe Marineland's not being sold, and maybe things will carry on as is. I only find the discourse interesting :)
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By all means, all the talk of transfers is speculation at best. Due to S-203, it makes it near impossible to transfer animals out, and only captive born animals would be able to be moved. The Mystic move and Helen (Vancouver Aquarium) were in planning since 2019 and due for early 2020, but due to pushback, pandemic and red tape government barriers (mainly due to the Canadian bill) the transfers only occurred a few months ago. The Canadian government, due to their criteria, wouldn’t approve animals to be sent to China. Policies on Fisheries Act Authorizations related to Cetaceans in Captivity and Reproductive Materials of Cetaceans: Closed consultation

Marineland in particular is still as committed to their animals, despite the political situation. They invested money into the new penguin exhibit, and the Magellanics they got are from facilities in the United States. Even beluga wise Qila, Mira and Frankie recovered, and the facility also participated in the global epigenetics study; Multi-species and multi-tissue methylation clocks for age estimation in toothed whales and dolphins | Communications Biology

With Kiska in particular, regardless of her companion situation, she is well. This photography page: CROP. , has provided updates on her weekly.
And by logic, if Marineland did a sell-off, it would have been in 2018 when they were transitioning ownership in addition to less political barriers. By all means I’d like more to be invested for the cetaceans, and if Vancouver Aquarium didn’t commit to no ceta-housing they could have taken in a few belugas, as inter-country moves would have less red tape.
 
Aelita said:
By all means, all the talk of transfers is speculation at best. Due to S-203, it makes it near impossible to transfer animals out, and only captive born animals would be able to be moved. The Mystic move and Helen (Vancouver Aquarium) were in planning since 2019 and due for early 2020, but due to pushback, pandemic and red tape government barriers (mainly due to the Canadian bill) the transfers only occurred a few months ago. The Canadian government, due to their criteria, wouldn’t approve animals to be sent to China. Policies on Fisheries Act Authorizations related to Cetaceans in Captivity and Reproductive Materials of Cetaceans: Closed consultation

Marineland in particular is still as committed to their animals, despite the political situation. They invested money into the new penguin exhibit, and the Magellanics they got are from facilities in the United States. Even beluga wise Qila, Mira and Frankie recovered, and the facility also participated in the global epigenetics study; Multi-species and multi-tissue methylation clocks for age estimation in toothed whales and dolphins | Communications Biology

With Kiska in particular, regardless of her companion situation, she is well. This photography page: CROP. , has provided updates on her weekly.
And by logic, if Marineland did a sell-off, it would have been in 2018 when they were transitioning ownership in addition to less political barriers. By all means I’d like more to be invested for the cetaceans, and if Vancouver Aquarium didn’t commit to no ceta-housing they could have taken in a few belugas, as inter-country moves would have less red tape.
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Yes, the talk of animal transfers specifically is speculation, not only at best but 100% in it's entirety (with the exception of the Oceanografic animals), which I've stressed. :) Kiska may be doing well in terms of health but there are quality of life concerns related to her condition, and euthanasia has been a part of the conversation in her care plan, however minor a part, for several years now. Everyone wants to see her thrive and whatever is or isn't ultimately done, the decision will be made in her best interests.

It's not illogical to think that Marineland may be sold. A lot has happened since 2018, including a certain very significant and major event which has caused financial hardships and prolonged, in some cases permanent, closures of facilities all across the world. However, at this point everything is simply rumors and harmless speculation, as you've said :)
 
csartie said:
Yes, the talk of animal transfers specifically is speculation, not only at best but 100% in it's entirety (with the exception of the Oceanografic animals), which I've stressed. :) Kiska may be doing well in terms of health but there are quality of life concerns related to her condition, and euthanasia has been a part of the conversation in her care plan, however minor a part, for several years now. Everyone wants to see her thrive and whatever is or isn't ultimately done, the decision will be made in her best interests.

It's not illogical to think that Marineland may be sold. A lot has happened since 2018, including a certain very significant and major event which has caused financial hardships and prolonged, in some cases permanent, closures of facilities all across the world. However, at this point everything is simply rumors and harmless speculation, as you've said :)
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I didn’t know that it was a small part of the conversation. It does make sense though, I believe Lucy at Edmonton Valley Zoo is in a similar review situation annually. From my visits I had, her care team is doing the best they can (and Kiska’s gotten used to more enrichment as well, such as EEDs and music) however independent welfare assessments wouldn’t hurt.
You’re right on the potentially being sold part, hasn’t occurred (but there’s rumours) but I hope whomever would step in can handle the hybrid zooaquaria/theme park model. And rescue/rehab/release efforts in addition to their research over the years would be neat to implement. Plus the property itself is a prime real-estate in the Niagara Falls region.

Not to change the subject, but because this is a beluga thread, has there been any updates on Luna’s baby and Qinu’s recovery?
 
Qinu's calf (stillborn) was also a male.

My friend visited MLC recently and gives this infos

"In King Waldorf there are two belugas, Cyprus and Aos and in Friendship Cove there are 8 males
Andre, Tofino, Tuk, Orion, Kodiak, Tank, Xavier, Frankie. I don't know about the rest"

He must mean Eos?
 
ketos said:
Qinu's calf (stillborn) was also a male.

My friend visited MLC recently and gives this infos

"In King Waldorf there are two belugas, Cyprus and Aos and in Friendship Cove there are 8 males
Andre, Tofino, Tuk, Orion, Kodiak, Tank, Xavier, Frankie. I don't know about the rest"

He must mean Eos?
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Yes that would be Eos. And Friendship Cove wise you can also add Titan to the list.
 
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