Beluga whale arrives at SeaWorld San Antonio – courtesy SeaWorld
SeaWorld San Antonio recently welcomed 7 rescued beluga whales, following a nearly 2,000 mile journey, as part of an urgent, unprecedented international effort to relocate 30 belugas from a closed marine park in Canada that can no longer support their care.
They join 2 rescued male belugas who arrived on July 21st as part of the first transport, and set a national record for the largest movement of captive cetaceans ever undertaken by a zoo or aquarium.
“Given this is the largest number of belugas being moved at one time, we are so happy that all went well and the second transport of this huge rescue effort is complete,” said Steve Aibel, Vice President, Animals and Conservation for SeaWorld San Antonio, who accompanied both transports.
“All seven female belugas are now at SeaWorld San Antonio. They are receiving veterinary care, nutrition and attention as they acclimate to their new environment.”
GNN reported on the previous group of belugas to depart captivity in Ontario towards ‘bluer’ pastures stateside, when 4 female belugas flew to Chicago via a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 container aircraft.
Kept harnessed onboard in specialized water containers with 24-hour veterinarian supervision, they arrived at the Abbott Oceanarium complex at Shedd Aquarium on July 22nd.
“Moving animals like beluga whales, even under the best of circumstances, is challenging,” Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums which organized the move, and which also partnered with SeaWorld, told CBS News Chicago at the time.
Beluga whales in their transport units arrive in San Antonio – courtesy SeaWorld
For the 7 beluga whales that headed off towards San Antonio, the process was exactly the same, only more intense.
The 7 female whales who were chosen to move together in a sub-pod are named Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva, and Calypso.
The whales are currently housed in a private habitat away from public view while animal care staff focus on their transition. Caretakers are letting each whale adjust at her own pace, watching closely for signs that they are eating well, resting comfortably, and beginning to interact with one another and their new surroundings.
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Frankie and Bertie Botts, the two male belugas who arrived 3 weeks ago from Canada, are doing well. They are getting to know their trainers and, at their own pace, are being socialized with the existing belugas at SeaWorld San Antonio.
For more than 40 years, SeaWorld has cared for beluga whales, building extensive expertise in animal care, veterinary medicine, behavioral research, and rescue response, leading to the establishment of one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the United States, having assisted more than 43,000 animals over its history.
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