Earlier this month, a plan sanctioned by the federal government was greenlit to potentially relocate the 30 beluga whales residing at the now-closed Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to new international destinations. Due to a 2019 Canadian law prohibiting the breeding or entertainment display of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in aquariums, the belugas will be divided among an aquarium in Spain and four in the United States.
Transporting these massive aquatic mammals, which can reach lengths of up to 4.5 meters and weigh over 1,900 kilograms, poses a significant challenge. While specific details from the receiving aquariums overseeing the relocation plan are still pending, insights were gathered from experts experienced in the intricate process of whale transportation.
To initiate the relocation process, permits from the Canadian government and the respective destination countries will be required, although belugas do not need passports. Decisions on the final destinations for each beluga will be influenced by their individual personalities, alongside comprehensive health assessments including veterinary evaluations and bloodwork prior to travel.
Trainers will dedicate months to familiarizing the belugas with the necessary equipment for their transfer, such as custom slings and stretchers. Encouraging the belugas to interact with the equipment and rewarding them for compliance is crucial in ensuring their comfort and readiness for transport.
On the day of travel, the belugas will be hoisted out of their tanks using the custom slings and placed into specially designed transport crates. These crates will be adequately sized to allow the belugas to move freely while submerged in water, with careful consideration given to noise reduction to minimize stress during the journey.
The transport crates will then be loaded onto trucks and transported to cargo planes, accompanied by a team comprising trainers and veterinarians. Continuous monitoring of the belugas’ well-being, including their breathing patterns, will be conducted throughout the flight to guarantee their comfort and safety.
Upon reaching their destinations, the belugas will be offloaded from the transport crates and transported to their new aquariums. Quarantine measures will be implemented to verify the belugas’ health status and prevent the spread of any potential diseases. Trainers will likely remain to share insights and observations about the belugas with the new caretakers.
Releasing the belugas into the wild is not a viable option due to geopolitical complexities and the animals’ lack of survival skills, particularly as many originated from Russia. With a significant portion of the belugas being born into captivity and lacking essential hunting abilities, reintroduction into the ocean would be deemed inhumane and unsustainable.
It is crucial to ensure the safe and humane relocation of these belugas to their new homes, a process that requires meticulous planning, specialized equipment, and expert care every step of the way.