The uncertain future of Canada's 30 rescued belugas

Matlow says that leaves a "growing animal welfare crisis on our hands".Still, her organisation had concerns about the relocation of the Marineland whales."If an animal was not healthy enough to withstand the stress of transport, it should not have been transported," she said in a statement. In early October, Shedd said it knew some of the Marineland belugas "could have substantial, longstanding medical needs".Assessments before the move "informed our planning but could not reveal every underlying condition or predict how each whale would respond to the transition. The rescue offered a path to continued, specialised care".They said the remaining rescued belugas show positive signs, including eating well. World Animal Protection Canada had suggested two alternatives: repurpose Marineland into a hospice-style facility for the remaining captive whales and dolphins, or fast-track development of a proposed seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia, the Whale Sanctuary Project.As they can't be released, "the next best thing we could do is provide sanctuary for them, where they can at least live in the ocean, and they can have back their autonomy", says Lori Marino, a neuroscientist behind the Whal...