SeaWorld San Diego announced the unfortunate passing of Cyprus, a nine-year-old beluga whale rescued from Marineland in Ontario. Cyprus, who arrived at the park on August 22, stopped eating on Friday, prompting concerns about his intestinal health. Despite initially showing positive progress, Cyprus’s sudden decline raised alarm among caretakers, leading to further medical assessments. The aquarium emphasized that belugas can conceal signs of distress, underscoring the need for a comprehensive necropsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Marineland in Niagara Falls faced financial challenges, necessitating the transfer of its remaining belugas and dolphins to other facilities. Thirty belugas and four dolphins were relocated as part of this initiative, with SeaWorld San Diego being one of the recipients. Regrettably, Cyprus was not the only casualty of this transfer, as several other marine mammals have also passed away in their new environments.
SeaWorld San Diego assured the public that the other rescued belugas are currently in stable condition and are closely monitored for any signs of health issues. The facility reiterated its commitment to the well-being of these animals and pledged to provide updates following Cyprus’s necropsy. The results will be shared with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of rescued marine life.
In a separate incident, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago reported the death of Caspian, a beluga whale relocated from Marineland, due to complications related to poor eating habits and abnormal blood test results. The aquarium also conducted necropsies on other deceased belugas from Marineland, revealing underlying chronic conditions. Tragically, additional deaths occurred at Oceanografic Valencia in Spain, emphasizing the challenges faced by relocated marine mammals.