beluga whales
Coverage of beluga whales in the Nexus archive.
- Shedd Aquarium Rescuing 10 Beluga Whales From Shuttered Canadian Park
The Shedd Aquarium is rescuing up to 10 beluga whales from Marineland of Canada, a shuttered marine park in Ontario, as part of an international effort to rehome 30 stranded belugas. The rescue, involving aquariums in the U.S. and Spain, follows Marineland’s closure in 2024 due to a Canadian law banning marine mammal captivity for entertainment. The belugas will be transported via a specialized method to the Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium.
- Shedd Aquarium rescuing multiple beluga whales from shuttered Canadian park
Shedd Aquarium is rescuing and rehoming up to ten beluga whales from Marineland of Canada, a shuttered marine park in Ontario cited for animal welfare concerns. The park has been closed and is under government scrutiny for its treatment of animals.
- Canada endorses embattled marine park’s plan to relocate 30 beluga whales
Canada and Marineland have agreed to relocate 30 beluga whales to sanctuaries in Spain or the US, ending whale captivity in Canada. The federal fisheries ministry announced the deal, which addresses Marineland's 2025 euthanasia threat and resolves a public controversy.
- Beluga whales keep switching mates and it may be saving their species
Beluga whales in Alaska's Bristol Bay exhibit a flexible mating system where both males and females regularly have offspring with different partners. Researchers analyzed DNA from over 600 belugas over 13 years, revealing this behavior may contribute to the species' survival.
- Whatever the mirror test tells us, beluga whales pass it
Beluga whales Natasha and Maris passed the mirror self-recognition test in a study published in PLOS One, indicating self-awareness. This achievement places them in an exclusive list of species, including great apes, dolphins, and elephants, that have demonstrated this cognitive ability.