A nine-year-old beluga whale rescued from a shuttered Canadian marine park has died at SeaWorld San Diego, the facility announced Sunday.
Cyprus was among three male belugas relocated from Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, arriving in California on Aug. 22 after the theme park closed. The young whale had been eating regularly and appeared to settle into his new environment during his first weeks in San Diego, according to the marine park.
“Cyprus had been doing well since his arrival. He was eating consistently, acclimating to his new environment and interacting with his trainers and animal care team, along with the two other rescued belugas,” SeaWorld said in a statement Sunday.
The turnaround came rapidly. Two days before his death, Cyprus stopped eating entirely, triggering an emergency response from veterinarians and animal care staff.
“Cyprus stopped eating two days ago, which prompted our veterinarians and animal care team to conduct a thorough medical exam,” the facility explained in its statement.
Diagnostic imaging revealed critical trouble. An ultrasound showed Cyprus’ intestinal tract was not functioning normally, pointing to what SeaWorld described as a possible serious life-threatening condition. The veterinary team worked through the night attempting to stabilize him, but the effort failed.
SeaWorld noted that belugas naturally conceal physical distress, an instinct that frequently obscures developing health problems during initial stages. The facility acknowledged the complexity of assessing animals transferred from long-term captive environments.
“We understood each animal would be navigating a significant transition and that their complete health picture, including conditions that may have developed over time, could only become clearer through ongoing assessment and care,” the statement read.
The two surviving rescued belugas, Xavier and Jasper, remain in stable health according to Sunday’s announcement. SeaWorld reported both whales are under close monitoring as they continue adjusting to their surroundings.
A full necropsy is planned, with findings to be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Cyprus’ death marks another loss among belugas moved from the defunct Canadian facility. Multiple whales from Marineland Canada have died in recent months following relocations to U.S. Aquariums, including two belugas that died at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium within weeks of their arrival.
The Marineland Canada closure and subsequent whale transfers represented one of the largest marine mammal rescue operations in recent years, drawing scrutiny over whether the animals were healthy enough to withstand relocation stress.
