Overview
- Shedd Aquarium reported that Peekachu, a 23‑year‑old beluga transferred from Marineland, passed away Tuesday as veterinary teams were giving medicines and fluids after bloodwork showed dehydration.
- The aquarium has launched a necropsy to determine what contributed to her death and says staff are monitoring the seven other rescued belugas around the clock.
- The loss comes in an ongoing rescue operation that began moving animals in July after Canadian authorities approved export permits earlier this year to place about 30 belugas with accredited facilities in the U.S. and Spain.
- Transfers have used cranes, custom slings and temperature‑controlled containers and the whales are being kept off public display while veterinarians conduct staged assessments and care.
- Peekachu’s death has renewed calls from animal advocates for tougher pre‑transfer health checks and for officials to review oversight of the rescue and remaining animals at the closed Marineland facility.