Beluga Whale Transferred From Canada To Mystic Aquarium Dies

MYSTIC, CT — A male beluga at Mystic Aquarium that suffered from a preexisting medical issue has died, according to a Facebook post from the aquarium. The beluga arrived at the aquarium in May.

"Veterinarians and animal care experts devoted the full capacity of their expertise to him, providing round-the-clock medical treatment, testing, and 24-hour monitoring," according to the Facebook post.

He had shown signs of improvement from a gastrointestinal condition, but he passed away Aug. 6.

"This is a devastating loss for our staff and for the community, especially the animal care team who works closely with the belugas," the post reads. "We appreciate your support and your respect for the Mystic Aquarium family during this difficult time. Our hearts are heavy, but we are dedicated to our mission. Together, we will continue to contribute to critical research to save endangered populations of marine life, inspire visitors to protect ocean ecosystems, and provide world-class healthcare to all animals here at Mystic Aquarium."

The beluga that died was part of a large operation to bring in five beluga whales from Canada. The whales are part of a research program designed to "increase general knowledge about the species and helps produce favorable outcomes for endangered wild beluga populations," according to aquarium officials.

Mystic Aquarium’s Arctic Coast is the largest outdoor beluga whale habitat in the United States at 750,000 gallons, according to the aquarium's website. Beluga whales are found solely in the Northern Hemisphere and inhabit the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean and subarctic regions.

See related: Mystic Aquarium Expecting 5 Belugas From Canada For Study