Three Rescued Beluga Whales Arrive at SeaWorld San Diego From Canada

Belugas Xavier, Cyprus and Jasper begin transition at San Diego park

SAN DIEGO, California — Three beluga whales rescued from the former Marineland marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, arrived at SeaWorld San Diego on Saturday after a journey of more than 2,500 miles from Canada, part of an international effort to relocate animals left behind after the park closed in 2024.

SeaWorld identified the newly arrived whales as Xavier, Cyprus and Jasper. The company announced their arrival in a social-media post, saying, “Three more rescued belugas are safe,” and sharing images from the complex transport operation, including a cargo aircraft, a large shipping container and a whale being lifted in a specially designed sling.

The belugas were flown to California aboard a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 cargo plane. Images released by SeaWorld showed the animals being handled in transport equipment with openings designed to support their pectoral fins while they were moved between the aircraft, containers and pool facilities.

Part of a wider relocation effort after Marineland closure

The arrivals are the latest stage of a plan to place about 30 beluga whales that remained at Marineland after the Ontario attraction shut down. SeaWorld has described the operation as an unprecedented international whale rescue effort, with the animals being assigned to facilities based on considerations including health, social relationships and other welfare factors.

Some of the Marineland belugas are expected to be moved to institutions in North America and Europe, including facilities in Atlanta and Valencia, Spain. The operation has required different transport methods, including truck and cargo-plane transfers, as organizations work to move the whales safely from Ontario.

SeaWorld San Diego already houses three belugas previously transferred from Marineland. The latest arrivals will join those animals after an initial period focused on medical assessment, observation and acclimation, according to park officials.

Dr. Chris Dold, SeaWorld's chief zoological officer, said earlier in the relocation effort that planning had been developed around the most complete available understanding of each whale's health and social bonds. Officials have emphasized that the process cannot be treated as a one-size-fits-all transfer because individual animals may adjust to new environments at different speeds.

Health monitoring is the immediate priority

Eric Otjen, SeaWorld San Diego's vice president of animals and conservation, said the San Diego team was focused first on the wellbeing of Xavier, Cyprus and Jasper. “Our immediate focus is on Xavier, Cyprus, and Jasper's health and wellbeing,” Otjen told Fox 5 San Diego.

That approach mirrors comments from Steve Aibel, SeaWorld San Antonio's vice president for animals and conservation, who accompanied an earlier transfer involving six belugas sent from Ontario to Texas and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. Aibel said the initial successful transfers were an important milestone but not the end of the broader relocation project.

“Our team is laser focused on supporting each whale through this transition with individualized care, patience and observation to ensure their welfare,” Aibel said in a statement. He added that each animal would adapt on its own timeline.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that park officials had not yet determined when the three newly arrived whales would be introduced to visitors. For now, the belugas remain under care and observation as SeaWorld San Diego continues their transition, while the wider effort to relocate Marineland's remaining whales is ongoing.