World's biggest marine mammal rescue begins in Canada as 30 beluga whales are relocated from shuttered Marineland after euthanasia fears

beluga whales are being relocated from the shuttered Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in one of the largest marine mammal rescues ever attempted.

The rescue follows fears that the whales could face euthanasia after funding from donations ran out following Marineland's closure in September 2024.

The first six belugas have been transported to accredited aquariums in the United States after extensive veterinary assessments.

The whales were moved using specially designed support slings and custom-built cold-water transport containers, then flown via Qatar Airways Boeing 777 cargo aircraft.