Six beluga whales were transported from Marineland, a marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, which closed last year amid concerns about animal health and cruelty. The whales were part of a pod of 30 belugas previously housed there.

On Tuesday, four female belugas arrived safely at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, while two others were relocated to SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas. The four whales in Chicago were specifically chosen to move together as a sub-pod due to their pre-existing social bonds.

The belugas were transported in specialized containers and are currently not on public display. Teams at both Shedd Aquarium and SeaWorld San Antonio are providing round-the-clock care, closely monitoring the whales' health and acclimatization.

Karisa Tang, lead veterinarian at Shedd Aquarium, described this as a "new chapter for the rescued belugas," emphasizing the focus on providing supplemental support, care, treatment, nutrition, and attention to help them adjust to their new environment.

Shedd Aquarium director of animal behaviour and training Charlie Jacobsma noted that the belugas are not yet viewable by the public. The teams are watching closely for encouraging signs such as eating a full diet, socializing with one another, and exploring their habitat.

As with all animals, the best indicator of wellbeing is individual and social behaviour, according to the caretakers.

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