A white beluga whale died in San Diego weeks after it was transferred to the city from a bankrupt theme park in Canada, animal rescuers said.
Cyprus, a nine-year-old male cetacean, was transported to SeaWorld San Diego from the now-shuttered Marineland of Canada park in Ontario on August 22.
Animal experts at the Southern California theme park said that Cyprus was interacting with his trainers and adjusting to the new world very well, until he stopped eating on Saturday.
The highly vocal toothed mammal was then examined by veterinarians and the animal care team through the night, the officials said.
However, the white whale, which was rescued from a ‘dire situation’ along with two other male belugas, could not be saved.
‘We are saddened to share that Cyprus has passed away unexpectedly,’ the theme park wrote in a Facebook post.
The team went on to explain: ‘An ultrasound showed that his intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally and could indicate a serious life-threatening condition.’
Cyprus was the sixth whale that died after its transfer. Four of Marineland’s last surviving beluga whales died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. The fifth whale and a 30-year-old female dolphin died at Oceanogràfic de València in Spain, Animal Justice Canada said.
Cyprus was rescued from the now-shut Marineland of Canada park in Ontario and transpoted to SeaWorld San Deigo on August 22
The team at the theme park said that the nine-year-old whale was adjusting well until it stopped eating on Saturday
After examination, experts found out that Cyprus’s intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally, which caused his death
SeaWorld was caring for 16 belugas in San Antonio and San Diego after their rescue
Experts at the theme park noted that belugas often hide discomfort or underlying concerns, making it difficult to notice the problems immediately.
‘A full necropsy will be conducted, and the cause of the passing will be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),’ the team said.
SeaWorld was caring for 16 belugas in San Antonio and San Diego from the 30 whales and four dolphins that were rescued from the closed marine park.
The team said that they will continue monitoring the other whales to maintain their stable health.
‘The other rescued belugas in our care continue to be in stable health and remain under close monitoring as they continue to adjust to their surroundings. As we have indicated, this process will take a considerable amount of time,’ the experts said.
While Cyprus was only nine years old at the time of his death, beluga whales can live up to 80 years.
They are found throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic waters and are vulnerable to threats, including climate change, disease, habitat degradation and more, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted.
Cyprus was the sixth whale that died after its transfer. Four of Marineland’s last surviving beluga whales died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and the fifth one died at Oceanogràfic de València in Spain
The team said that they will continue monitoring the other whales to maintain their stable health
Marineland, located in Niagara Falls, kept beluga whales, dolphins and several other animals in captivity for entertainment for more than 60 years, World Animal Protection reported.
A Toronto Star investigation that took place in 2012 to 2013 uncovered overall neglect and animal suffering at the theme park, following which Ontario SPCA gave seven orders to the theme park to upgrade the animal care at the facility.
Things did not get better when OSPCA charged Marineland with six counts of animal cruelty in 2017. This was followed by years of intense public and legal scrutiny, causing massive damage to the reputation of the marine park.
The theme park’s tumultuous journey finally came to an end when its owner, Marie Holer, passed away in 2024. Marineland confirmed its permanent closure in fall 2025, World Animal Protection reported.
Marineland cited a financial crunch as the reason for its shutdown, The Independent reported.
The park raised concerns about the future of the whales in a letter sent to Canada’s fisheries ministry. They warned the authorities that the whales will be euthanized if they are not rehomed.
’The gravity of the funding crisis at Marineland cannot be overstated; any further delay jeopardizes the welfare and security of the whales, and we fear we are running out of time to act,’ the letter read. ‘Our only options at this point are to either relocate the whales or face the devastating decision of euthanasia.’
Animal Justice Canada held the government accountable for the death of the whales.
‘Canada granted export permits for Marineland to ship all 30 remaining belugas and four dolphins after the now-for-sale theme park threatened to kill them,’ the spokesperson said in a statement.
‘Reports suggested that many whales at Marineland may have been suffering from poor health, yet Canada approved all of its belugas for export. Transport is extremely dangerous for whales and can even be deadly for animals who are already sick.’
