Another rescued Marineland whale has died. This week, SeaWorld San Diego announced that the nine-year-old beluga whale Cyprus passed away in their care.
Cyprus was one of the creatures rescued from Marineland, a defunct theme park that spent years trying to figure out what to do with its captive marine mammal population, before ultimately reached an agreement with the Canadian government to relocate its whales to a collection of U.S. aquariums in Georgia, Chicago, San Diego and San Antonio, and the Oceanogràfic València aquarium in Spain. Though the relocations themselves went smoothly, a number of the animals have since died.
According to a social media statement from Seaworld, Cyprus had initially been doing well upon his arrival, along with the two other rescued belugas. However, things suddenly took a turn. “Cyprus stopped eating two days ago which prompted our veterinarians and animal care team to conduct a thorough medical exam,” continued the statement. “An ultrasound showed that his intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally and could indicate a serious life-threatening condition. Veterinarians worked throughout the night, providing immediate medical attention.
“Like many species, belugas can mask discomfort or underlying concerns that are not immediately visible. A full necropsy will be conducted, and the cause of the passing will be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).”
While the passing of Cyprus weighed heavy on the hearts of SeaWorld staff, the announcement did say that hope remains for the remaining whales. “The other rescued belugas in our care continue to be in stable health and remain under close monitoring as they continue to adjust to their surroundings,” they wrote. “As we have indicated, this process will take a considerable amount of time. Our commitment to the health, well-being and care of these belugas, like every animal we rescue, continues.”
