A male beluga whale rescued from a shuttered Canadian marine park almost two months ago died Sunday at his new home at SeaWorld San Diego.
Cyprus, 9, was one of three beluga whales relocated to SeaWorld San Diego from Marineland, an animal theme park in Niagara Falls that closed in 2024. Thirty beluga whales and four dolphins faced possible euthanasia at the shuttered Ontario park so aquariums across the U.S. and Europe stepped in to find space.
Six of the whales, and one dolphin, have died shortly after relocation efforts, which started in late July. Cyprus’ death has added to a growing chorus of criticism against Marineland, the relocation plan and even the Canadian government.
Some marine scientists have suggested the stress of a new environment on the sociable beluga whales likely played a factor. Yet, aquarium scientists have noted some of the animals came with health issues — from liver issues to lung inflammation — and it was already an uphill battle to keep them healthy.
Cyprus was the youngest of the beluga whales from the relocated group to have died, with other deaths spread out at aquariums in Chicago and Spain. SeaWorld San Diego said the other two beluga whales from Marineland appear to be stable but remain under close monitoring.
SeaWorld said Cyprus stopped eating two days before his death, despite being seemingly healthy since his arrival in San Diego in late August.
“An ultrasound showed that his intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally and could indicate a serious life-threatening condition,” said SeaWorld in a statement. “Veterinarians worked throughout the night, providing immediate medical attention.”
Four of the relocated beluga whales have died at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Less than two weeks ago, the aquarium said Caspian, a 27-year-old female beluga, had also been eating less and efforts to save her failed. Other deaths, covered extensively by The Chicago Tribune, include 23-year-old Peekachu, who died Aug. 25, 30-year-old Rain on Sept. 2 and 26-year-old Osiris on Sept. 21.
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A rescued beluga 19-year-old whale named Jelly Bean and a dolphin named Echo, around 30 years old, died at Oceanogràfic València in Spain in September after relocation. Preliminary necropsy results released last week by the aquarium point to preexisting health issues. For Jelly Bean, her necropsy showed serious issues, the aquarium said, that likely began before the long trip to Spain: abnormalities in her heart, thyroid and adrenal glands.
Preliminary necropsy results on Rain and Peekachureleased by the Shedd Aquarium said Rain’s small intestine showed severe chronic enteritis, or longstanding inflammation, and evidence of a resolving fungal infection in her airways. Osiris had chronic liver disease, the aquarium said, but a fuller report is pending.
There are also other rescued beluga whales at SeaWorld San Antonio and the Georgia Aquarium.
San Diego, California – After a 12-hour journey, a beluga whale swims around a holding pool at SeaWorld on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. This whale, along with two others, were rescued from shuttered Marineland theme parkin Niagara Falls, Ontario. Their names are Xavier, Cyprus and Jasper. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego, California – After a 12-hour journey, a beluga whale swims around a holding pool at SeaWorld on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. This whale, along with two others, was rescued from the shuttered Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Their names are Xavier, Cyprus and Jasper. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Nova Scotia-based Whale Sanctuary Project has been vocal in its belief that the transfer of the whales to other facilities is a “slow-motion unfolding tragedy.” The organization opposes whales in captivity and promotes the idea of a seaside sanctuary. The group argues that beluga whales are sociable animals, and captivity is stifling to their health.
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Lori Marino, founder of the Sanctuary Project, said the beluga whales in captivity could not be simply released into the ocean because they lack skills to catch food and would not have a big enough social network to survive. Her organization is raising money for a $15 million whale and dolphin sanctuary in the sea off of Nova Scotia.
She said all the whales dying in captivity are young, not just 9-year-old Cyprus. The World Wildlife Fund says beluga whales can live up to 80 years old in the wild.
Marino noted Marineland had faced numerous complaints about animal welfare before financial issues closed its doors in 2024. An investigation from The Canadian Press found 20 beluga whales had died at the park since 2019.
Now that there have been six deaths, Marino didn’t have confidence in the other Marineland animals sent to new aquariums.
“We’re going to see more deaths. I wish it weren’t so,” she said. “They were sick, and this was rushed. This is what happens.”
While SeaWorld has received critical media reports in the past for its treatment of captive orcas, namely in the 2013 film “Blackfish,” most animal rights groups have pointed blame at Marineland and the Canadian government for the situation. The shuttered park had threatened to euthanize the animals several times, which some groups, like the Toronto-based Animal Justice, argued created a rushed situation to move the animals.
Animal Justice has also filed several legal complaints against the Canadian government for its relocation plan, which they argue failed to adequately study the health of the animals before transfer.
SeaWorld San Diego said in its statement that it was aware that health challenges were likely with the transferred whales.
“Like our colleagues at the other (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)-accredited facilities that rescued these belugas, we understood each animal would be navigating a significant transition,” the statement read, “and that their complete health picture, including conditions that may have developed over time, could only become clearer through ongoing assessment and care.”
SeaWorld said its veterinarians and animal care team worked through the night to try and save Cyprus, noting beluga whales are known to mask discomfort and underlying concerns. SeaWorld said it will perform a full necropsy, which will take six weeks or more, on Cyprus, and that will be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
SeaWorld attendees never got to see Cyprus, who was in a behind-the-scenes area. His animal care team said Monday that he was curious and enjoyed learning new things. They said herring seemed to be his favorite fish.
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