An aquarium in Illinois has confirmed the death of a third beluga whale it rescued from a closed Canadian marine park this summer, citing difficulties the animal had in adjusting to its new surroundings.
Osiris, a 26-year-old female, was among 30 belugas evacuated from the shuttered Marineland amusement park in Ontario. Of that group, 10 were rehomed at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where officials announced on Monday that she had died.
I had no idea Osiris was one of the ten transferred to Chicago. Really sad news, especially given her age.
This is now the third beluga from that group to die shortly after arriving. Is Shedd prepared for these adaptation struggles?
Another loss is heartbreaking. It really highlights how hard it is to rehabilitate animals after years in small concrete tanks.