Three beluga whales die at Shedd Aquarium, raising concerns about animal welfare

<figure> <img alt="A beluga poking their head out of the water at Shedd Aquarium." src="https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/GettyImages-2217615089.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> A baby beluga at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. | Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Two years ago, Marineland of Canada, a theme park in Niagara Falls, closed after financial difficulties and investigations revealed animal neglect. Since 2019, 19 beluga whales and one killer whale have died at Marineland.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The closure raised questions about the future of Marineland's surviving animals, which included four dolphins and 30 beluga whales. Animal welfare groups advocated for the belugas to be rehomed to a proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia, Canada, rather than transferred to other aquariums.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Instead, this summer, four dolphins and two belugas were sent to an aquarium in Spain, while other belugas were moved to two SeaWorld locations and two US aquariums: Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which received 10 belugas.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shortly after their arrival, three belugas at Shedd — Peekachu, Rain, and Beethoven — died within eight days. The cause of death is currently unknown as the aquarium awaits necropsy results.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">These deaths have prompted renewed scrutiny of the welfare of animals in aquariums, highlighting the issues associated with their confinement.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The limitations of aquarium life</strong></h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shedd Aquarium, one of the oldest in the US, has faced previous controversies regarding its treatment of beluga whales. Its first two belugas were captured from the wild in 1991, and subsequent deaths raised concerns about the ethics of keeping such animals in captivity.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">While Shedd has not sourced belugas from the wild since then, it has recorded 15 births in captivity. Critics argue that regardless of the source, the limitations of aquarium life are inhumane. Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and president of the Whale Sanctuary Project, emphasizes that captive belugas cannot engage in their natural behaviors.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Marino stated, “The level of boredom that they experience is really unbelievable. For an animal like that, with a brain like that, that’s torture.”</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">A Shedd spokesperson mentioned that research indicates that dynamic enclosures and socialization are more important for animal welfare than the size of the space. However, confinement can lead to stress-related behaviors in marine mammals.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Critics argue that zoos and aquariums often downplay the harms of captivity, presenting themselves as protectors of wildlife while continuing to confine animals.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Are aquariums for animals, or us?</strong></h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The first modern aquarium opened in 1853, initially marketed as entertainment. Over time, the environmental and animal welfare movements have questioned the ethics of displaying wild animals in captivity.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">While some aquariums claim to contribute to conservation efforts, critics argue that the primary focus remains on entertainment. In 2022, accredited zoos and aquariums spent $252 million on wildlife conservation, which is only 5 percent of their total operational costs.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite claims of promoting conservation, evidence supporting the effectiveness of these institutions in reintroducing endangered species is limited. Surveys suggest that while zoo attendance may improve conservation knowledge, it does not significantly motivate visitors to engage in conservation efforts.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shedd Aquarium has not disclosed the percentage of its animals sourced from the wild. An AZA spokesperson stated that acquiring animals from the wild can align with conservation goals if done sustainably, but did not clarify the criteria for ethical sourcing.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shedd also offers paid encounters with beluga whales and other species, which have faced criticism for their ethical implications. A spokesperson defended these programs, citing a study, but critics argue that the research lacks rigor.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Marino expressed hope for the surviving belugas but emphasized the need for more honest discussions about the ethics of aquariums. Shedd has not ruled out breeding the belugas, which could lead to more animals living in captivity.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The situation at Shedd Aquarium raises important questions about the treatment of marine mammals in captivity and the responsibilities of such institutions.</p> SOURCE: Vox PUBLISHED: 2026-09-15 21:15:00