Earlier in the current month, the federal government sanctioned a proposal that may lead the 30 beluga whales housed at the now-closed Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., to be relocated internationally to new facilities. Due to a 2019 legislation in Canada prohibiting the breeding or entertainment use of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, the belugas cannot be transferred to another aquarium within Canada. Consequently, it is anticipated that the whales will be divided among an aquarium in Spain and four in the United States.
The logistics of transporting these marine mammals, which can grow up to over 4.5 meters and weigh up to 1,900 kilograms, raise significant challenges. While detailed plans from the destination aquariums overseeing the rescue operation are pending, insights from experts familiar with whale transportation provide valuable guidance.
Step 1 involves obtaining the necessary permits from the Canadian government and recipient countries for the belugas’ relocation. Decisions on each animal’s destination are influenced by their individual personalities, as well as veterinary assessments and health checks to ensure their well-being during travel.
Step 2 focuses on conditioning the belugas for transportation, a process that may require months of training to familiarize the animals with the equipment used for their transfer. Custom slings and stretchers are employed to lift the belugas from their tanks, with trainers incentivizing their cooperation through positive reinforcement.
On travel day, the belugas are lifted from their tanks using slings and placed into specially designed transport crates. These crates are tailored to accommodate the belugas comfortably while minimizing stress, with considerations such as water levels and noise reduction taken into account.
Step 3 involves the transportation of the belugas by truck to a cargo plane, where a team of trainers and veterinarians accompany them. Continuous monitoring of the animals’ well-being, including their breathing, is essential during the flight to ensure their comfort.
Upon reaching their destination, the belugas are once again lifted from the transport crates and transferred to their new aquariums. Quarantine measures are implemented to safeguard the animals’ health and prevent the spread of diseases, with experienced trainers staying on to share insights with the new caretakers.
The option of releasing the belugas into the wild is deemed impractical due to various factors, including the animals’ captivity-bred nature and the challenges associated with reintegrating them into their native habitats. The social dependency and lack of hunting skills among captive belugas make their survival in the wild unfeasible.
In conclusion, the complex process of relocating the beluga whales from Marineland to new facilities involves meticulous planning, expert handling, and a deep commitment to the well-being of these remarkable marine creatures.