An animal welfare activist is encouraged by the first phase of an ambitious plan to relocate 30 beluga whales from a shuttered Canadian marine park that had threatened to euthanize the sea mammals.

U.S. aquariums involved in the coordinated “rehoming” effort this week announced the successful transportation of six whales — four to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and two to SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas. The animals reportedly were shipped in water tanks and monitored closely by veterinarians.

“We’re going to see more of these successful moves,” Phil Demers told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Wednesday. “Let’s hope that I don’t have to do this anymore.”

US aquariums to save 30 beluga whales from threat of euthanasia
Demers is a former animal trainer at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, who became a whistleblower to expose what he called negligent conditions at the theme park. Marineland closed in 2024 and said its beluga whales faced the prospect of euthanasia because it could not afford to care for them.

Under a plan coordinated by aquariums and the U.S. and Canadian governments, the animals will be dispersed mostly to U.S. sites. Spain has agreed to rehome two belugas and four dolphins, Demers said.

He said advocates like him will be watching closely to ensure that the animals receive care in their new homes.

A beluga whale is transported in Chicago via a sling. (Brenna Hernandez/Shedd Aquarium)
This SeaWorld San Antonio image shows a rescued beluga whale after arrival. (SeaWorld San Antonio)
“I have eyes and ears inside, around, above, below of every one of these facilities,” Demers said. “I always have to credit the whistleblowers that reach out to me and offer unique perspectives. Very often it’s trainers blowing the whistle on the inside.

“These facilities know this, and so they’re going to be held to a higher standard, and I’m sure they welcome the challenge. Everyone collectively wants better for these animals, and this is what we’re all hoping for.”

Beluga whales can live as long as 60 years in the wild but typically die by age 30 in aquariums, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation, which advocates phasing out captive facilities.

Source: https://www.newsnationnow.com/animals/6-beluga-whales-us-rescued/