Four beluga whales recently arrived at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium from the now-closed Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and are showing promising signs of adjustment, according to the aquarium’s vice president of animal health, Karisa Tang. The whales—named Acadia, Lilloloot, Osiris, and Sierra—were transferred to Shedd early Tuesday morning and are currently being kept separate from the facility’s existing group of eight belugas.

The transfer followed a carefully coordinated operation involving staff from Shedd, Marineland, and marine mammal experts. On Monday, the whales were moved from a partially drained pool into water-filled steel containers and transported by truck to Toronto Pearson Airport. They then flew aboard a Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 to Chicago, a journey that lasted approximately one hour. Two additional belugas on the same flight were sent to SeaWorld in San Antonio.

Tang, who accompanied the whales on the flight, described efforts to minimize stress throughout the process, including administering anti-anxiety medication concealed in raw fish and avoiding abrupt changes in ascent and descent during the flight. The largest whale weighed about 2,400 pounds. Once they arrived, elaborate preparations were made to transport the animals safely into their new habitat at Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium.

Currently, the new belugas are in one section of the 3-million-gallon oceanarium, separated by metal gates from the other group. Tang emphasized a gradual introduction process, with controlled changes to their habitat, diet, and human interaction. Their meals include high-quality fish, squid, and clams.

The move comes amid longstanding controversy in Canada over the treatment of marine animals at Marineland, which had been operating since 1961. Animal rights advocates have criticized the practice of exporting whales from Canada, arguing that it may contravene a 2019 Canadian law intended to end captive whale breeding and holding. They also advocate for the development of sea pens or sanctuaries as alternatives; however, Tang said such options are currently not viable due to the lack of facilities meeting the necessary standards of care.

“There is no sea pen that exists that provides the standards of care necessary to care for these whales,” Tang said, acknowledging ongoing discussions but stating no suitable sanctuary has materialized to date.

At Shedd, the whales’ health is being closely monitored by a team of scientists who observe their foraging behaviors and overall well-being. Early observations suggest the animals are adapting well to the new environment.