After several beluga deaths, Chicago's Shedd Aquarium releases health examinations

Emily Hoerner, Chicago Tribune on Nov 3, 2026

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CHICAGO — Less than a month after a fourth beluga whale transferred from a defunct Canadian marine park died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, officials this week revealed that examinations found no singular cause of death in the final two deceased whales.

Each of the rescued whales, Caspian, Osiris, Peekachu and Rain, suffered chronic conditions, according to a Monday blog post from Shedd. The whales were part of a complex international rescue mission aimed at saving 30 beluga whales following the closure of a marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. A fifth whale, a longtime resident at Shedd named Beethoven, also died following the whale transport.

The local whale deaths, occurring in quick succession over a span of less than two months, were cause for alarm among some animal activists. A total of 10 beluga whales were brought to Chicago over the summer as part of the rescue effort. The Shedd in its update said the remaining six transferred belugas are progressing, eating well and socializing.

The full external health examination of Osiris, who died in September, discovered problems including reduced heart function, depleted fat reserves and changes in her liver that “left her particularly vulnerable to additional illnesses,” Shedd wrote in its latest health update.

It was discovered that Caspian, who died last month, had “significant metabolic abnormalities,” intestinal damage and muscle loss, according to Shedd.

“While the examinations did not identify a single, definitive cause of death for either whale, they underscore why an animal can have encouraging signs of improvement while still living with serious underlying illness and why Shedd’s continued, around-the-clock investment in all the animals’ care is so essential,” the aquarium wrote.

Other beluga whales from Marineland of Canada were sent to SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and Oceanogràfic València in Spain.

Two of the other rescued belugas have died at their new homes — 19-year-old Jelly Bean at Oceanogràfic València in Spain and 9-year-old Cyprus at SeaWorld San Diego.

According to SeaWorld San Diego’s Facebook post announcing the death last month, the whale stopped eating after seeming to acclimate well to his new environment.

Representatives at SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio and Georgia Aquarium did not respond to Tribune requests for updates on the health of their other rescued whales.

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