Beluga Whales

• Ottawa endorses plan to send Marineland’s belugas to U.S., Spain

  The 30 beluga whales at Marineland in Niagara Falls are closer to a new home after Fisheries and Oceans Canada endorsed a rescue plan that would send them to five aquariums.

  Canada

  Jun 3
  
• New study shows beluga whales display fascinating behaviour in front of mirror

  New research suggests beluga whales may recognize themselves in mirrors, joining a small group of animals believed to exhibit self-awareness.

  Environment

  Jun 2
  
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• Marineland says talks ongoing for fed support, Ottawa confirms money ready

  Marineland previously received conditional approval from the federal government for the export of the former theme park's remaining beluga whales.

  Canada

  Apr 21
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• Ontario tells federal government to approve Marineland whale transfer to China, Nova Scotia

  Solicitor General Michael Kerzner appeared to punt the responsibility back to the federal government while claiming the Ontario government is "not abandoning the whales."

  Politics

  Oct 23, 2025
• Marineland says its remaining belugas shouldn’t be sent to N.S. sanctuary

  Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson denied Marineland's request last week for a permit to ship Canada’s last captive whales to buyers at an aquarium in China.

  Canada

  Oct 7, 2025
• Marine area bigger than Lake Superior could soon be protected off Ontario’s shores

  A vast marine area home to beluga whales and threatened polar bears off Ontario's northern shores is a step closer to protected status.

  Environment

  Feb 21, 2024
• U.S. government reviewing deaths of 2 belugas moved from Marineland to Connecticut

  The U.S. government is reviewing the deaths of two beluga whales that were moved from Marineland in Canada to an American aquarium last year.

  Canada

  Mar 31, 2022
• Beluga whales ingest as many as 145,000 particles of microplastics a year: SFU study

  Researchers examined five species of arctic fish eaten by the whales, revealing 21 per cent had microplastic particles in their gastrointestinal tracts.

  Environment

  Oct 19, 2021
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• Whales and other marine mammals susceptible to COVID-19 through wastewater: study

  Both dolphins and beluga whales have been infected with related coronaviruses in the past.

  Environment

  Nov 9, 2020
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• Nova Scotia coast chosen as potential home for retired whales raised in captivity

  The Whale Sanctuary Project announced that it wants to provide a home for about eight whales in a 40-hectare inlet southeast of Sherbrooke, N.S.

  Environment

  Feb 25, 2020