Animal Justice is urging Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to conduct an inquiry into the death of Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, at a Chicago aquarium. The national animal rights group is also calling for a pause in the ongoing transfer of marine mammals from the closed theme park until the investigation is concluded.
Peekachu was brought to Shedd Aquarium on August 13 and passed away on August 25. Kaitlyn Mitchell, the legal advocacy director at Animal Justice, has written to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, requesting DFO to ascertain how Peekachu was permitted for transportation despite evident health issues.
It was mandatory to have health evaluations of the whales conducted by an accredited Canadian veterinarian before the relocation. Marineland was required to validate these assessments in writing, as reported by a source to CBC News in January.
Shedd Aquarium disclosed that Peekachu was dehydrated and experiencing poor appetite. The aquarium stated that Peekachu suddenly died while receiving medication and fluids, with a necropsy underway.
DFO mentioned that appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety of the whales during the relocation process. These steps included obtaining the necessary CITES permits after reviewing the transportation plan and granting Fisheries Act authorizations post-individual health assessments for each whale.
Animal Justice’s letter requests a halt in the transfer of the remaining six belugas — the last captive whales in Canada — until an investigation into Peekachu’s demise is completed, and it is confirmed that the other whales are fit for the journey to their new destinations.
Concerns have been raised by Naomi Rose, a senior scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute, regarding the welfare of the belugas being transported to different facilities and separated, potentially causing more stress to the animals. Rose emphasized the need for accountability in ensuring the well-being of these intelligent and social creatures.
