Overview
- Shedd announced on Wednesday that Peekachu, a 23-year-old female beluga rescued from Marineland, died Tuesday as staff were giving her medicine and fluids.
- Caretakers had noted that Peekachu was not consistently eating and blood tests taken the day she died showed values that suggested dehydration and a need for supportive care.
- The aquarium has not given a specific cause of death and has scheduled a necropsy to assess Peekachu’s overall health and any factors that may have led to her passing.
- The seven remaining rescued belugas at Shedd are being kept off public display and monitored around the clock as staff provide hydration, feeding support and ongoing blood testing.
- The loss comes during an unprecedented, staged effort to rehome about 30 belugas from a closed Ontario park and could affect timing and medical protocols for future transfers to U.S. and Spanish facilities.