A fourth beluga whale from Canada’s closed Marineland has died only weeks after being moved to a new aquarium.
Osiris, a 26-year-old female beluga, died on Monday morning at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, United States. She was one of 30 belugas moved out of Marineland in Canada this summer.
Shedd said Osiris had been a “whale of clinical concern” since she arrived in late July. She did not always eat enough, making it harder for staff to keep her well-fed and hydrated.
She received fluids, medication and other care, and her appetite had recently improved. But on Monday morning, staff noticed sudden changes in her behaviour and breathing.
Osiris was moved to a medical area, but her condition quickly became worse. She died despite attempts to save her. A necropsy will be carried out to investigate the cause of death.
Her death means four Marineland belugas have now died after being moved this summer.
Peekachu, 23, and Rain, 20, both died at Shedd Aquarium within weeks of arriving from Canada. Last week, Jelly Bean (19) died at Oceanogràfic València in Spain after also experiencing problems with eating.
Beethoven, a 34-year-old beluga who had lived at Shedd for decades, also died recently. He was not one of the whales from Marineland.
30 belugas moved out of Canada
Marineland closed to visitors in 2024 and said it could no longer afford to care for its remaining marine animals.
Earlier this year, the company told the Canadian government that its 30 belugas and four dolphins could be euthanized if permission to move them abroad was not granted.
Canada eventually approved their transfer to aquariums in the United States and Spain. The animals were required to receive health assessments before travelling.
The deaths have raised new questions about the health of the Marineland whales. According to Canadian government data and official statements, 19 belugas and one orca died at Marineland between 2019 and 2025.
Marine mammal researcher Andrew Trites told the Associated Press that it was concerning that four of the transferred belugas had died so soon after reaching their new homes.
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