Beluga whale dies at Chicago aquarium days after coming from Canada park in rescue effort
Summary
A beluga whale named Peekachu died shortly after being moved from a closed park in Ontario, Canada, to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago as part of a rescue effort. The aquarium was trying to help the whale recover after the long trip but announced her sudden death while providing treatment.Key Facts
- Peekachu was a 23-year-old female beluga whale.
- She was moved from Marineland park in Ontario, which closed in 2024.
- Marineland kept about 30 beluga whales and four dolphins before closing.
- Canada approved moving the whales to new homes in January 2026.
- Eight whales were sent to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago this summer.
- Peekachu was blind in one eye and had difficulty socializing with other whales.
- She showed some early improvement after the trip but was dehydrated when she died.
- Other whales from Marineland will be relocated to aquariums in the U.S. and Spain.
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