3 Rescued Beluga Whales Arrive At SeaWorld San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — Three rescued beluga whales have arrived at SeaWorld San Diego after traveling more than 2,500 miles from a closed marine park in Canada, the park announced Saturday.

The three male belugas — Xavier, Cyprus and Jasper — were transported together because of their existing social bond. Veterinarians and animal care specialists accompanied the whales during the journey.

Their arrival marks the fourth transport in an international rescue effort involving SeaWorld and several accredited aquariums. SeaWorld said it has now received 12 of 16 belugas expected to be relocated as part of the rescue plan.

SeaWorld San Diego's veterinary and animal care teams will monitor the whales as they adjust to their new surroundings, including their eating, swimming and social behavior.

The whales will eventually be introduced gradually to the three belugas already living at the park's Wild Arctic habitat: Allua, Oliver and Klondike. Klondike also came from the Canadian marine park.

SeaWorld is working with Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium and Oceanogràfic València in Spain on the rescue effort. Earlier transports moved belugas to SeaWorld San Antonio, Georgia Aquarium and Shedd Aquarium.

The participating organizations will continue coordinating the relocation of the remaining whales, with future transport details expected to depend on the animals' needs.