A beluga whale from the recently relocated group of animals from the closed Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has passed away, marking the third death in the group. Oceanogràfic de València announced the sudden and unexpected death of Jelly Bean, who died less than a month after being transported to the aquarium in Spain. Alongside another beluga named Cleopatra, Jelly Bean and four dolphins were brought to the facility on August 27 as part of an international rescue mission.
Jelly Bean had been facing feeding challenges in recent days, leading to increased monitoring by the veterinary team. Despite showing signs of improvement and being responsive to caregivers, her health deteriorated. Veterinary experts at Oceanogràfic will conduct a necropsy in collaboration with pathologists from CEU Cardenal Herrera University to determine the cause of death.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson expressed sadness over Jelly Bean’s passing and extended condolences to the staff at the Spanish aquarium. The Canadian government had undertaken necessary measures to ensure the safe rescue of the whales, including issuing permits and authorizations after thorough assessments. Two other belugas, Peekachu and Rain, had also died shortly after their relocation, with additional concerns arising after the passing of a resident beluga at Shedd Aquarium.
Animal Justice highlighted the stress associated with relocating animals and warned about potential health risks during such movements. Concerns were raised about the lack of transparency regarding independent health assessments before the transfers. Marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose emphasized the unprecedented nature of the relocation and highlighted the challenges and stress faced by the belugas during transportation.
The transfers from Marineland were deemed as the best available option under the circumstances, although concerns remain about the future breeding of the whales. Oceanogràfic acknowledged the unique histories and individual needs of each rescued animal and expressed the difficulty faced by the team following Jelly Bean’s unfortunate demise.