Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is getting ready to welcome a crop of new aquatic residents—10 beluga whales.
Shedd selected for international beluga whale rescue
The rehoming is part of an urgent international rescue effort, according to a release, following the closure of aquatic park Marineland of Canada in Ontario, Canada.
The closure of Marineland reportedly left 30 beluga whales in need of new homes.
Shedd is one of several U.S. facilities to receive a portion of the animals, due to its accreditation and longstanding record of providing excellent care for the beluga species.
Upon arrival at the Shedd, the belugas will have access to the expansive Abbott Oceanarium habitat, plus nutritious food supplies, clean water, and specialized care.
“The complexity and scale of this rescue cannot be understated,” said the Shedd in a statement.
The aquarium added that it expects the rescue to begin in the coming weeks. However, due to the scale of the effort, officials have not established an exact timeline for the whale’s arrival.
Learn more information about the Shedd’s beluga whale conservation initiatives and how you can get involved here.
