NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 27, 2026Miami-Dade
Shedd Aquarium reports death of rescued beluga whale Peekachu
A 23-year-old beluga whale named Peekachu died suddenly at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium on Tuesday while caretakers were attempting to treat her for dehydration. She was one of eight whales recently relocated to the facility from the shuttered Marineland park in Ontario, Canada.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
The death highlights the risks involved in the ongoing international effort to relocate 34 captive whales and dolphins from a closed Canadian facility to various marine parks worldwide.
Key Facts
- A 23-year-old female beluga whale named Peekachu died on Tuesday at Shedd Aquarium.
- Peekachu was one of eight whales moved from Marineland in Ontario to Shedd Aquarium this summer.
- Four whales were moved in July and four in August.
- Marineland closed in 2024, necessitating the relocation of 30 beluga whales and four dolphins.
- The Canadian government approved the export plan in January.
- Since 2019, 20 whales (19 belugas and one killer whale) have died at Marineland.
- Peekachu was blind in one eye and had difficulty socializing.
- Caretakers identified dehydration via blood samples on Tuesday.
- Shedd Aquarium plans to release a necropsy report once completed.
Who's Mentioned
otherPeekachu“23-year-old female beluga whale that died”organizationMarineland“Shuttered Ontario park that held captive whales”organizationOceanografic Valencia“Facility receiving relocated whales”organizationSeaWorld“Facility receiving relocated whales”organizationShedd Aquarium“Chicago-based aquarium receiving rescued whales”organizationGeorgia Aquarium“Facility receiving relocated whales”