The transfer comes months after Marineland warned it might have to euthanize the whales due to worsening financial difficulties at its now-closed Canadian facility.

The 30 beluga whales stranded at the now-closed Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, will soon begin a new chapter after U.S. officials approved an international rescue effort to relocate the animals to aquariums.

This decision marks the latest development in a months-long saga that previously saw the whales face euthanasia after Marineland declared it could no longer afford to care for them after the park closes in 2024.

According to CBC, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved the emergency rescue under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, allowing the transfer of 28 beluga whales to four U.S.-recognized facilities. The remaining two whales are scheduled to be transported to Oceanogràfic València in Spain after final approval.

The current plan is for 13 beluga whales to be transported to SeaWorld San Antonio, 3 to SeaWorld San Diego, 10 to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and 2 to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The remaining two whales are scheduled to be transported to Spain after the approval process is complete. All of these shipments require a final health check by Canadian veterinarians.

Source: People.com