Seven rescued beluga whales have arrived safely at SeaWorld San Antonio after a nearly 2,000 mile journey from a shuttered marine park in Ontario, Canada.
The seven female belugas were transferred from Marineland of Canada as part of a large international effort to relocate the facility’s remaining whales to accredited animal care facilities. Their arrival adds seven more animals to SeaWorld San Antonio’s beluga population, bringing the total there to 17.
Seven Belugas Make the Trip From Canada to Texas
The latest group includes seven female belugas named Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva and Calypso.
The whales traveled from Marineland in Ontario to Texas using specialized transport equipment designed to maintain the cold-water conditions belugas need. Veterinarians, aquatic medicine specialists and animal care staff accompanied the animals during the relocation.
The complicated journey included transportation by truck and aircraft. The whales were placed in specialized containers and supported throughout the trip by teams responsible for monitoring their condition.
A Larger Rescue Effort Is Underway
The seven whales are part of a much larger relocation involving approximately 30 belugas that remained at Marineland after the Canadian marine park closed to the public in 2024.
Earlier in July, another group of six belugas was moved from the facility, with four going to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and two arriving at SeaWorld San Antonio. The latest transfer brings the number of relocated animals higher as officials and animal care organizations work to move the remaining whales.
The relocation effort is expected to continue through August, with other animals headed to accredited facilities in the United States and Europe.
Why Marineland’s Belugas Needed New Homes
Marineland’s closure created an urgent challenge for the animals that remained at the facility.
The Ontario park had housed one of the world’s largest captive populations of beluga whales. After the facility shut down, finding suitable destinations for the animals became a complicated international undertaking.
Canadian officials previously rejected plans to send the whales to China because of concerns surrounding their welfare. A new relocation plan eventually brought together American and European aquariums to provide new homes for the animals.
SeaWorld San Antonio Welcomes the New Arrivals
The seven newcomers will remain under professional animal care at SeaWorld San Antonio.
The Texas park already has an established beluga habitat and specialized programs involving the species. SeaWorld says its animal care teams provide opportunities for guests to learn about belugas through educational and behind-the-scenes experiences.
The arrival also gives the park an expanded beluga population as the animals settle into their new surroundings.
The Journey Required Specialized Care
Moving a beluga whale across international borders is far more complicated than transporting an ordinary animal.
The whales require cold water, careful handling and continuous monitoring. During previous transfers from Marineland, animal care specialists and veterinarians traveled with the whales and monitored them throughout the journey.
The latest relocation similarly involved specialized transport containers and custom equipment designed to keep the whales supported and protected during the trip.
A New Chapter for the Rescued Whales
The arrival in San Antonio marks a new chapter for seven belugas that had remained at the closed Canadian marine park.
For SeaWorld San Antonio, the transfer expands an existing population and brings additional animals under the care of an established veterinary and animal care operation.
The broader relocation effort is still underway, with more belugas expected to leave Marineland as suitable destinations are arranged.
For now, Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva and Calypso have completed the long trip from Ontario to Texas and begun their transition to their new home at SeaWorld San Antonio.