After transferring animals from Niagara Falls, Shedd Aquarium reported that Peekachu and Rain died from chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. The necropsy results suggest these health issues existed long before the whales arrived in Chicago.
Chronic gastrointestinal inflammation predates the move to Chicago
The Shedd Aquarium reported that necropsies performed on beluga whales Peekachu and Rain revealed chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disease. According to the aquarium, the nature of the inflammation—which was significant in Peekachu and severe in Rain—indicates the disease likely developed over months or even years.
Necropsies of the whales also revealed the presence of foreign objects, including bird feathers, sticks, and large rocks in Peekachu's stomach, as well as potential paint flecks in Rain's. However, the Shedd Aquarium stated it does not believe these objects were the primary cause of death, and Marineland has agreed that the foreign materials were not the cause.
Marineland disputes Shedd's findings and cites habitat changes
Marineland has challenged the Shedd Aquarium's interpretation of the whales' health, pointing to the intense stress of the relocation process. The Niagara Falls-based park noted that the whales had spent over two decades in their original habitat, which featured pools containing nearly 40 million litres of water.. In contrast, the Shedd Aquarium’s Abbott Oceanarium holds approximately 12 million litres, a difference Marineland suggests contributed to the complexity of the whales' care.
A pattern of mortality at the Niagara Falls park
The deaths of Peekachu and Rain follow a troubling history of mortality at the Marineland facility. Between 2019 and 2025, the park lost 19 beluga whales and one killer whale. this history of loss comes amidst a broader effort to relocate the park's remaining 30 belugas and four dolphins following the facility's financial struggles.
This relocation follows a 2019 federal law in Canada that banned the breeding and performance of captive marine mammals. while Marineland was grandfathered in, the law prompted a search for new homes for its animals, including a failed attempt to sell them to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, a deal Minister Joanne Thompson blocked due to concerns over animal welfare laws.
Minister Thompson's 'unacceptable neglect' allegation
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson has characterized the findings as evidence of "unacceptable neglect" regarding the animals' well-being prior to their relocation. The Minister's office described the transfer of the whales to various international aquariums as a "rescue mission" intended to provide the animals with a safer future despite the inherent risks of moving.
Who bears responsibility for the whales' declining health?
Significant questions remain regaring whether the stress of the move exacerbated the whales' pre-existing conditions or if the disease was the sole factor in their deaths. Additionally, a dispute exists regarding regulatory oversight; while Minister Thompson's office has leveled accusations of neglect, Marineland has countered that the fisheries department held no responsibility or expertise in the driect animal care provided at the park.
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