Animal advocacy group Animal Justice has urged Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to look into the passing of Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga whale from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, at a Chicago aquarium. They have also demanded a pause in the ongoing transfer of marine mammals from the closed theme park until a thorough investigation is conducted.
Peekachu was transferred to Shedd Aquarium on August 13 and passed away on August 25. Kaitlyn Mitchell, the legal advocacy director at Animal Justice, has written to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson requesting the DFO to investigate how Peekachu was cleared for transport despite apparent health concerns.
Health evaluations by a certified Canadian veterinarian were mandatory before the relocation. Additionally, Marineland was required to validate these assessments in writing, as per a source who spoke with CBC News in January.
According to Shedd Aquarium, Peekachu was dehydrated and had a poor appetite. The aquarium stated that Peekachu’s sudden demise occurred while efforts were being made to provide medical treatment and fluids, with a necropsy underway.
DFO has mentioned that they have taken reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of the whales during the relocation process. This includes issuing necessary permits and authorizations following thorough health assessments for each whale.
Animal Justice’s letter also calls for the suspension of the transport of the remaining six beluga whales until a probe into Peekachu’s death is finalized and the other whales are deemed fit for the journey to their new destinations.
Marineland had initially planned to send its belugas and dolphins to an aquarium in China, but the move was blocked by Ottawa due to legislative restrictions on whale and dolphin captivity. Subsequently, Marineland sought assistance from American and Spanish aquariums, with their belugas being relocated to various SeaWorld locations and the Georgia Aquarium.
Naomi Rose, a marine mammal biologist and senior scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute, supports Animal Justice’s demand for an investigation into Peekachu’s death. She expressed concerns about the well-being of the remaining whales and stressed the need for accountability in their care.
Rose highlighted that the transportation and separation of the whales to different facilities could exacerbate their stress levels. She suggested that Marineland should have considered waiting to send the whales to a sanctuary, despite concerns raised about the viability of the proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia.
In light of the complexities surrounding the situation, Rose acknowledged the challenges in finding the best solution for the welfare of the belugas at Marineland.