The Canadian federal government has endorsed a plan to relocate thirty beluga whales from the now-defunct MarineLand in Niagara Falls to aquariums across the United States and Spain. The whales have faced an uncertain future since Ottawa rejected MarineLand's request to move them to China last year.
Before any move can happen, veterinarians must confirm that the belugas are healthy enough to travel. The five aquariums involved in the plan are located in Georgia, Chicago, San Diego and San Antonio in the US, and one in Valencia, Spain.
Officials from those locations say they could begin transfers within weeks of receiving veterinary clearance. The logistics of transporting marine mammals of this size require careful planning and specialised equipment.
The Valencia Aquarium in Spain recently evacuated two belugas from eastern Ukraine at a time when bombs were reportedly dropping just hundreds of metres from their tanks. This experience has given the facility unique expertise in emergency marine mammal relocation.
MarineLand, once one of Canada's most popular tourist attractions, closed its doors after years of controversy over animal welfare standards. The fate of its beluga population has been a subject of public concern and legal debate.
Animal welfare organisations have broadly welcomed the relocation plan, though some have argued that the belugas should ideally be moved to a marine sanctuary rather than another captive facility.
The federal government's endorsement of the plan brings closure to a prolonged debate about the future of these marine mammals. The successful relocation would represent one of the largest beluga whale transfers ever attempted.