The recent deaths of four beluga whales at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium have sparked renewed scrutiny over the practice of keeping these marine mammals in captivity. Three of the whales were transferred from Canada’s Marineland, while the fourth had been a longtime resident at the facility. Advocates argue that the deaths underscore the physical and psychological harm belugas endure when removed from their natural Arctic habitats and confined to artificial environments.

Shedd Aquarium’s association with belugas dates back to 1991, when it opened its Oceanarium and introduced whales and dolphins that had been captured from the wild. The capture process often involves chasing the animals in shallow waters and encircling them with nets, a practice that animal welfare experts and activists have long condemned. They contend that such captures serve commercial interests more than scientific research or conservation, boosting visitor numbers and revenue rather than enhancing animal welfare or education.

The initial public fascination with belugas at Shedd significantly increased attendance figures, which encouraged the aquarium to expand its beluga collection. In 1992, after winning a court battle against animal rights groups, Shedd added four more whales taken from northern Canadian waters near Hudson Bay. Shortly after their arrival, two of these belugas died following the administration of an anti-parasite treatment. Despite such early losses, the aquarium continued to grow its captive beluga population.

Zoos and aquariums often justify keeping marine mammals by citing conservation efforts. However, belugas are not globally endangered. While the population in Alaska’s Cook Inlet is considered at risk, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species overall as being of “least concern,” with an estimated population exceeding 200,000. Critics argue that given their relatively stable numbers, there is no valid justification for keeping belugas in confined spaces that prevent them from exhibiting natural behaviors.

Belugas, known as the “Canaries of the Sea” for their complex vocalizations, live in highly social pods and often migrate thousands of miles annually, diving to depths of up to 3,000 feet to hunt Arctic cod. In comparison, captive belugas at Shedd are housed in tanks approximately 30 feet deep and are fed rather than allowed to forage. Experts highlight the stark contrast between the animals’ natural lifestyle and the limitations imposed by captivity, emphasizing the negative consequences on their health and longevity. The experience of captive-born belugas has been plagued by high infant mortality rates, and other major facilities, such as the Georgia Aquarium, have reported multiple beluga deaths since their introduction.

Legal differences also play a role in beluga captivity. Canadian legislation passed in 2019 prohibits breeding whales for non-research purposes, but the United States lacks comparable federal protections. Some U.S. aquariums, including Shedd, have continued breeding belugas despite accepting animals transferred from Canada. Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and founder of The Whale Sanctuary Project, has criticized transfers between captive facilities as neither heroic nor humane, viewing them as perpetuating a cycle of captivity and breeding rather than addressing animal welfare.

Advocates urge aquariums like Shedd to redirect efforts toward global conservation issues such as climate change, pollution, overfishing, and noise disturbances that threaten marine mammal populations. They recommend that Shedd cease the acquisition and breeding of belugas and dolphins and promote policies aimed at protecting these species in the wild. Moving forward, there is growing support for ending the practice of keeping belugas and other marine mammals in captivity to allow them the freedom to thrive in their natural environments.