Animal Justice has urged Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to investigate the passing of Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga whale from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., at a Chicago aquarium. The national animal law advocacy organization has also called for a pause in the ongoing transfer of marine mammals from the closed theme park until a thorough inquiry is conducted.
Peekachu was transported to Shedd Aquarium on Aug. 13 and sadly died on Aug. 25. Kaitlyn Mitchell, the legal advocacy director for Animal Justice, has formally requested DFO, in a letter to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, to determine how Peekachu was cleared for transport despite evident health concerns.
Before the relocation, health evaluations of the whales by a certified Canadian veterinarian were mandatory. Marineland was also required to confirm these assessments in writing, as reported by CBC News in January.
Shedd Aquarium disclosed that Peekachu was dehydrated and experiencing poor appetite. The aquarium stated that the beluga passed away suddenly while receiving medical care, and a necropsy is underway to determine the cause of death.
DFO has stated that appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety of the whales, including the issuance of necessary permits and authorizations after individual health assessments. Marineland was reached out for comment by CBC but had not responded by the time of publication.
Animal Justice’s letter also requests the suspension of the transport of the remaining six belugas, the last captive whales in Canada, until the investigation into Peekachu’s death is concluded. The organization emphasizes the stress and potential risks associated with cetacean transportation, particularly for animals with preexisting health issues.
A total of 30 belugas and four dolphins were planned for relocation as Marineland transitions its animals off the premises due to financial constraints. Initially, Marineland had arranged to sell the belugas and dolphins to a Chinese aquarium, but the move was blocked by Ottawa due to legal restrictions on whale and dolphin captivity.
Concerns have been raised by Naomi Rose, a marine mammal biologist at the Animal Welfare Institute, regarding the well-being of the transported whales and the potential for further fatalities. Rose highlighted the challenges faced by belugas during transportation, citing stress as a contributing factor.
The fate of the remaining belugas from Marineland remains uncertain as the debate continues over their relocation to different facilities. The complexities of finding suitable homes for these animals underscore the ongoing ethical and logistical dilemmas surrounding their care and well-being.