Canada Moves 30 Captive Beluga Whales to US Aquariums

Controversial relocation aims to free belugas from troubled Marineland park, but some question if aquariums are true liberation.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:57am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, flat colors featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex scientific and logistical forces involved in the relocation of 30 beluga whales.The intricate dance of science, logistics, and ethics at play in the high-stakes relocation of 30 captive beluga whales from Canada to US aquariums.Mystic Today

In a complex and risky operation, Canada's federal government is relocating 30 captive beluga whales from the troubled Marineland amusement park to four different aquariums in the United States. The whales, some seasoned travelers and others first-timers, will be sedated, hoisted into specialized slings and transport boxes, and flown across the border in a delicate process that has seen previous whale relocations result in fatalities. While the move is framed as liberating the whales from Marineland's poor conditions, animal rights groups argue the whales deserve a sanctuary rather than another form of captivity.

Why it matters

The relocation of these 30 belugas highlights the ongoing debate over the ethics of keeping whales and other marine mammals in captivity, even in supposedly improved conditions. While the Canadian government and some former Marineland trainers see the US aquariums as providing superior care, animal advocates argue the whales should be given the chance to live freely in a dedicated sanctuary instead of being moved to different facilities.

The details

Each of the 30 belugas, some weighing thousands of pounds, will be carefully sedated, secured in custom slings and transport boxes filled with just enough saltwater to keep them buoyant, and then flown to the US on specialized planes like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The logistics are extremely complex, with past whale relocations resulting in the deaths of several animals. The whales are being moved from the now-closed Marineland amusement park in Canada, which had previously threatened to euthanize all 30 belugas if a plan to sell them to a Chinese ocean park was blocked. Animal rights groups argue the whales should be sent to a sanctuary rather than aquariums, even if the US facilities provide better care than Marineland.

  • The relocation is scheduled to take place in 2026.
  • In 2021, Ontario officials deemed the belugas at Marineland to be 'in distress'.
  • Marineland was closed to the public in 2024 amid ongoing controversies.

The players

Joanne Thompson

Canada's federal fisheries minister, who announced the tentative deal to relocate the belugas to US aquariums.

Phil Demers

A former Marineland trainer-turned-whistleblower who has provided insights into the complex logistics of moving the whales.

Kristy Burgess

A former Marineland beluga trainer who is 'super excited' about the whales being moved to US aquariums, which she believes will provide world-class care.

Camille Labchuk

The director of Animal Justice, an animal rights group that argues the belugas should be sent to a sanctuary instead of aquariums.

JJ

A 20,000-pound gray whale calf that was previously moved, requiring a custom foam-padded container for the journey.

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What they’re saying

“You need just enough water to ensure buoyancy, but not so much that it enters their blowholes.”

— Phil Demers, Former Marineland trainer-turned-whistleblower

“The focus at this stage must be on the animals themselves.”

— Unnamed, US aquarium representatives

“These animals must be the last generation to suffer in captivity.”

— Camille Labchuk, Director of Animal Justice

“They have highly qualified staff and real oversight.”

— Kristy Burgess, Former Marineland beluga trainer

What’s next

The whales must pass health checks before being cleared for travel, and the Canadian government is working to finalize the details of the relocation with the US aquariums.

The takeaway

The complex and risky operation to relocate 30 captive beluga whales from a troubled Canadian amusement park to US aquariums highlights the ongoing debate over the ethics of keeping marine mammals in captivity. While the move is framed as liberating the whales, animal rights groups argue they should be sent to a sanctuary instead of another form of captivity.