Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has begun re‑housing thirty beluga whales rescued from a marine park in Canada that closed earlier this year. The move, completed in 2026, marks the aquarium’s participation in a broader, nationwide effort to relocate marine mammals after the Canadian facility shut down.
Aquarium staff oversaw the transfer of the thirty whales, preparing new habitats that meet the species’ needs for space, water quality and social interaction. The belugas arrived at the Shedd’s main exhibit area, where they will be monitored by veterinary teams and marine biologists as they adjust to their new environment.
The relocation is part of a large‑scale rescue operation coordinated across several U.S. institutions. By accepting the whales, Shedd Aquarium joins other facilities that have pledged to provide permanent homes for animals displaced by the Canadian park’s closure. The initiative aims to ensure the long‑term welfare of the cetaceans and to prevent future disruptions caused by the shutdown of private marine attractions.
Officials at Shedd Aquarium emphasized that the arrival of the thirty belugas expands the aquarium’s existing marine mammal collection and enhances its educational programming. Visitors will soon have the opportunity to learn about the whales’ natural history, the circumstances of their rescue, and ongoing conservation efforts. The transition underscores the role of public aquariums in responding to emergencies involving marine wildlife and in supporting collaborative rescue networks nationwide.