Two more beluga whales have died at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium after another whale that came from a closed Canada marine park died last week, officials said Wednesday.
"Two beluga whales at Shedd Aquarium passed away despite immediate efforts by animal care and veterinary teams to provide lifesaving measures," a statement from the Shedd read in part. "Rain, a 20-year-old female rescued beluga, arrived at Shedd in mid-August as part of the recent international rescue effort. Beethoven, a 34-year-old male, was part of Shedd's resident beluga pod. At this time, it's impossible to know if these passings are isolated or related."
The final group of rescued beluga whales arrived at the Shedd Aquarium on Tuesday.
The rescues came from a marine park in Canada that had been closed and nonoperational for nearly two years.
Two whales arrived early Tuesday morning. The animal care team had been observing all nine rescued whales around the clock.
A beluga whale died last week after being moved.
The Shedd is helping to re-home 30 beluga whales from the Canada marine park.
Others are going to Atlanta, San Antonio, San Diego and Spain.
The belugas can be up to 15-feet long and weigh up to 3,300 pounds.
