Third rescued beluga whale dies at Chicago aquarium

A third beluga whale rescued from a theme park in Canada has died, according to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Osiris, a 26-year-old female beluga whale, died a little more than a month after it was rescued from Marineland in Canada.

The aquarium noted that Osiris was a “whale of clinical concern” from the moment it arrived at the facility, according to ABC 7.

"Each rescued beluga came to Shedd with a distinct life history and health needs that could not be fully understood before their arrival. Osiris experienced periods of meaningful progress, both nutritionally and socially, but her overall condition remained closely monitored," the aquarium said in a statement.

Shortly before the animal's death, the Shedd Aquarium reported that the whale was showing symptoms of dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance, though they were improving. Aquarium officials said Osiris had been socializing and had been eating following its treatments.

However, the whale's condition took a turn on Monday. Aquarium officials noticed changes in its behavior and respiratory patterns, prompting them to move the animal to a medical habitat for treatment.

According to the aquarium, the whale's "condition declined rapidly, and Osiris passed away despite lifesaving efforts by our veterinary and animal care teams."

Officials are still determining Osiris's cause of death.

Two other rescued belugas from Marineland — and a third beluga belonging to the park’s resident pod — have died in recent weeks.

Earlier in September, Rain, a 20-year-old female Beluga, also rescued from Marineland, died. Beethoven, a 34-year-old male that was part of the aquarium's resident beluga pod, died around the same time.

A week before those whales died, Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga from the Marineland rescue, died.

Shedd Aquarium said its workers will "continue to monitor each whale around the clock, adapting care, habitats, and routines to meet their evolving needs."

Marineland, which was located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed in September 2024. The closure came on the heels of allegations of animal abuse by individuals at the park, according to the CBC.

When the park closed, it had 30 beluga whales on its premises, and their continued care was only possible thanks to donations from the public.

Once the donations ran out, the whales faced potential euthanasia. The animals' caretakers petitioned the Canadian government for assistance in keeping the whales alive.

Two aquariums with the space and means to provide for the animals offered to take them in following the Marineland closure. In July, the belugas were flown in tanks of water on a Boeing 777 to their new homes in Shedd Aquarium and SeaWorld San Antonio. Both locations already had resident beluga populations and animal care experts familiar with the animals.