Whales transferred from Canada to U.S.

(NBC, KYMA) - A large scale operation is underway to move six beluga whales from an Ontario, Canada marine park to facilities in the U.S.

In an emergency rescue, capping off a long-running saga, crews used cranes to carefully lift belugas out of their tanks at Marineland.

The once popular amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario shut down to the public in 2024, leaving 30 whales with an uncertain future.

At one point, the even faced the threat of euthanasia. Now, Marineland is sending the massive mammals to aquariums in the U.S. and Spain, with the first six whales loaded into shipping containers on trucks, bound for the airport.

In a statement to the Canadian press, Marineland said, "The safe, healthy, and comfortable transfer of these whales to their new homes remains our unwavering priority."

Plans for Marineland's other animals remain unclear.

It's not clear now who's footing the bill for the complicated move, and that four of the belugas are destined to arrive at a Chicago facility, while two others are heading to Seaworld in San Antonio.