Second of five beluga whales that was transferred to Mystic Aquarium from Marineland is dead.
What Could Have Led to the Whales' Death?
According to a statement released by Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut on Friday, the female beluga had been in the aquarium's intensive care unit and had received "round-the-clock medical treatment" from their staff and veterinarians prior to her death.
Until a necropsy is completed, the cause of death cannot be determined, according to the statement.
One of Mystic Aquarium's top zoologists, Allison Tuttle, said the whale received a "continuum of world-class care" over a long period of time.
The circle of life is complete when an animal dies in the wild. It's devastating when it happens to an animal you've grown to love and care for on a daily basis at an aquarium.
A request for comment on the whale's death was not immediately returned by Marineland. The whale was one of five that were transferred from Niagara Falls to the aquarium in May 2021 for research purposes, as per CBC.
The aquarium revealed at the time that one of the five whales, a male named Havok, had died in August after a long battle with a pre-existing gastrointestinal condition.
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Mystic Issued a Statement After the Second Whale Died
Following an inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last fall, Mystic issued a statement stating that it had made changes to address issues in five areas, including communication between veterinarians and animal care staff on the night Havok died.
According to a statement issued at the time, those issues also included handling and accommodations for animals with vision difficulties, access to shade, and changes in water quality.
The Animal Welfare Act is designed to protect animals, says Mystic CEO Stephen Coan. Inspections, investigations into animal deaths, and accreditation processes are critical to improving animal welfare, he said.
"We are constantly seeking to evolve and learn in our mission to provide the best possible care for animals."
Call for Investigation into the Whales' Death
It's "disturbing" that two whales have perished less than a year after they were transferred to Mystic Aquarium, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) said in a statement on Friday.
Marine mammal biologist Dr. Naomi Rose with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) said, it is becoming increasingly obvious that these five whales were not healthy when they were imported.
A complete government investigation into the animals' death is demanded because these whales deserve better, said Dr. Naomi Rose, AWI's marine mammal scientist.
As a result of what was supposed to be an uncomplicated research import. Animal protection groups in the United States attempted to halt the transport of the whales, which ultimately led to their relocation in Mystic. However, an injunction was denied by a judge.
According to AP News, the relocation was approved by the federal governments of both Canada and the United States. In addition to six other belugas, one of them is currently in intensive care at Mystic Aquarium, according to the aquarium.
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