A beluga whale named Osiris has died at a Chicago aquarium, marking the third such loss from a group rescued from a closed Canadian marine park. She was 26 years old and began showing signs of distress on Monday morning at the Shedd Aquarium, prompting staff to move her to a medical tent, as stated by the aquarium.
Despite efforts by the veterinary and animal care teams to save her, her condition worsened rapidly before she passed away.
The precise cause of death is still unknown, and a thorough necropsy will be conducted to determine more.
Osiris was among 10 belugas rescued from the now-defunct Marineland of Canada earlier this summer and brought to Chicago.
Since their arrival, her health was closely monitored—almost obsessively, it seems—by the staff. They used special slings and temperature-controlled carriers during the transportation.
The aquarium pointed out that from the moment she arrived, Osiris was seen as a significant medical concern. She had some positive moments, showing advancements both in nutrition and social interaction; however, she didn’t eat consistently enough, which made things complicated for her recovery.
Although she showed some improvement after receiving fluids and care, highlighting her lively personality, complexity in her health remained. They even expressed that “nutrition is only one measure of health,” reflecting the multifaceted nature of her condition.
Shedd Aquarium had taken in 10 belugas and four dolphins left behind when Marineland shut down in 2024, as part of efforts to avoid euthanizing the animals.
Data show that, tragically, about 20 whales have died at the Ontario facility since 2019, as per government records acquired through freedom of information requests.
In addition to Osiris, two other belugas, Peekachu and Rain, have also died at Shedd after their transfer from Canada. Another beluga named Jelly Roll died after being moved to Spain.
Research indicates that beluga whales typically live between 30 and 35 years. The aquarium acknowledged the vulnerabilities these animals faced, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding their rescue and care. They expressed deep sorrow over Osiris’s loss while committing to analyze the situation thoroughly and transparently.
In their concluding remarks, the aquarium reflected on Osiris’s time there, noting that while it was shorter than desired, the care provided was valued beyond just its duration.
With Post Wires
