A beluga whale from the recent transfer of animals from Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ont., has passed away, making it the third death in the group. The Oceanogràfic de València confirmed that Jelly Bean died unexpectedly less than a month after reaching the aquarium in Spain. Jelly Bean and another beluga named Cleopatra, along with four dolphins, were brought to the facility on Aug. 27 as part of an international rescue mission.
According to a news release, Jelly Bean had been experiencing feeding issues in recent days, leading to increased monitoring by the veterinary team. Despite initial signs of improvement and continuous care, Jelly Bean succumbed to unknown causes. The veterinarians at Oceanogràfic will perform a necropsy to determine the exact reason behind the death.
Cleopatra and the four dolphins that were relocated with Jelly Bean are reported to be in good health at the aquarium. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson expressed her condolences for Jelly Bean’s passing and mentioned that the Canadian government had taken necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the rescued whales during the transfer process.
The relocations were initiated due to financial constraints at Marineland, prompting the transfer of all 30 belugas and four dolphins to various aquariums, primarily in the U.S. Animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the stress and health risks associated with moving marine mammals, emphasizing the need for thorough health assessments and careful planning to avoid such tragic outcomes.
