After a nearly 2,000-mile trip from Canada, seven more rescued beluga whales have reached SeaWorld San Antonio, marking another major milestone in the high-profile relocation effort caused by the closing of a marine park.
The park has nine rescued belugas, and the transfer represents the biggest one-time move in the international rescue operation.
What happened?
The new arrivals are seven female belugas — Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva, and Calypso — who moved from Marineland of Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in specialized water-filled containers by truck and cargo plane.
Marineland closed in 2024 and wasn't able to give long-term care anymore for the 30 belugas, prompting a broader relocation effort. So far, the San Antonio SeaWorld has welcomed nine whales — seven females plus two males named Frankie and Bertie Botts who were sent to the park in July, according to the San Antonio Report.
After being watched throughout the journey by veterinarians and animal care staff, the seven females are in a private, nonpublic habitat where SeaWorld says teams are tracking how each whale adjusts.
Thirteen whales from Marineland have been relocated to other parks, and officials say more transfers are expected. They have not announced a timetable for future moves or said how many additional belugas might eventually come to Texas.
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Why does it matter?
Moving beluga whales is a complicated task requiring specialized equipment and resources to ensure a safe transition for the whales, and this rescue shows what can happen when a large animal facility closes: Teams must secure safe, long-term homes for animals that need expert, around-the-clock care.
SeaWorld said caretakers are watching for basic signs of a healthy adjustment, including normal eating, comfortable rest, and early interaction with one another.
What's being done?
SeaWorld San Antonio said it is taking a slow, individualized approach with the newly arrived whales. Rather than placing them immediately in public exhibits, the park is giving each beluga time to adjust in a private habitat while care teams keep a close watch.
The two July arrivals are also settling in as they get to know their trainers and are introduced gradually to the park's resident belugas.
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During a media tour, trainers said the pair settled in quickly and started eating within hours of arriving.
Visitors can catch glimpses of the rescued males through behind-the-scenes habitat tours, offering a limited view of the process without disrupting the whales' transition.
Work to place Marineland's remaining belugas is underway, and officials expect additional relocations beyond Texas as part of the larger rescue effort.
As Steve Aibel, SeaWorld San Antonio's vice president of animals and conservation, put it: "Given this is the largest number of belugas being moved at one time, we are so happy that all went well and the second transport of this huge rescue effort is complete."
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