Two beluga whales arrive safely at Georgia Aquarium from closed Canadian theme park

Two male beluga whales from a closed Canadian theme park safely arrived Thursday morning in Atlanta to their new home at the Georgia Aquarium.

The whales were a part of an international, multi-institutional rescue effort to rehome 30 beluga whales from Marineland of Canada, the closed theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Ontario park closed in 2024 amid financial troubles and concerns over animal welfare.

• RELATED: Georgia Aquarium to receive two beluga whales from closed Canadian theme park

Jason Jones, Georgia Aquarium's senior curator of animal well-being, said the pair are adjusting to their new home well after a 12-hour transfer by plane and truck.

Georgia Aquarium said that the two whales, 10-year-old Balor and 7-year-old Zephyr, will begin to acclimate to their new home and trainers, and participate in "playful social groupings" with the four other beluga whales at the aquarium.

"We saw them overnight, interacting with each other through the gate, vocalizing at each other," Jones said. " So we were confident that our introduction would go smoothly. And that has been the case."

Caption

One of two beluga whales is transported into its new home at the Georgia Aquarium on August 13, 2026.

Credit: Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium

Jones said the aquarium has been preparing for the transfer for about a year.

The whales' fate was the subject of international discussion for years before that. 20 whales — 19 belugas and one orca — have died at Marineland since 2019.

The rescue saves the remaining animals from a similar fate or the possibility of euthanasia.

The Canadian government approved the rescue plan in June.

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and two Sea World parks — in Texas and California — are getting the bulk of whales. Two others are going to an aquarium in Spain.

Caption

A sign welcomes Georgia Aquarium's newest beluga whales, Balor and Zephyr, in August 2026.

Credit: Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium

In Georgia, Jones said Baylor and Zephyr will be given every opportunity to thrive.

"This is a really, really exciting opportunity for us to bring in these whales," Jones said. "This was a huge rescue effort. 30 whales coming to facilities in the U.S. is huge.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime type of opportunity."

Caption

Georgia Aquarium's two new male beluga whales get introduced to the four females already in residence at the Atlanta facility.

Credit: Courtesy of Georgia Aquarium

"They are adjusting well and interacting with our four females: Whisper, Maple, Qinu, and Shila," said an aquarium spokesperson in a statement to GPB.

For more about the rescue of Balor and Zephyr, read here.

Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the U.S. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025.