Three rescued beluga whales land at SeaWorld San Diego after long trek from Canada

The closure of Marineland in Niagara Falls set off an international campaign to find new homes for roughly 30 beluga whales formerly held there. On Saturday, three of those whales completed a more than 2,500-mile journey from Canada, flown in a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 cargo plane, and were received at SeaWorld San Diego. SeaWorld described the operation as an unprecedented rescue effort and highlighted that the animals' relocation strategy considered health status, social bonds, and other factors.

The newcomers will be integrated with the park's existing belugas, which already include three individuals previously moved from the Ontario facility. SeaWorld staff, including chief zoological officer Chris Dold, said the whales' condition is under careful observation. The rescue network also plans to place additional whales in locations ranging from Atlanta to Valencia, Spain, while some have already been sent to Texas and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium.