Three More Belugas Just Landed in San Diego — And This Rescue Is Now Two-Thirds Done

Meet Xavier, Cyprus, and Jasper: the newest belugas to complete the journey from a shuttered Canadian marine park to a new home in the US, and the first all-male trio to make the trip so far.

The three whales traveled more than 2,000 miles in specialized cold-water transport units, arriving safely at SeaWorld San Diego this week with veterinarians and animal care specialists by their side the entire way. It’s the fourth transport since this rescue effort began back in July, and one of the largest marine mammal relocations ever attempted.

They weren’t moved at random. Xavier, Cyprus, and Jasper already had an existing social bond, so the team kept them together specifically to keep their stress levels low during the move — the same approach used for earlier sub-pods in this effort.

“Our entire team is overjoyed to welcome the belugas to San Diego,” said Eric Otjen, SeaWorld San Diego’s Vice President of Animals and Conservation. “Providing a safe environment and expert care to animals in need is central to SeaWorld’s mission.”

Now comes the patient part. Animal care and veterinary teams will be watching closely over the coming days and weeks — how well the whales are eating, swimming, and starting to socialize — before beginning a gradual introduction to San Diego’s existing beluga population. That group already includes Allua, Oliver, and Klondike, who made the same journey from Canada himself. Once ready, the new trio will get to form bonds with the existing pod at their own pace.

The bigger picture: this arrival brings the total to 12 belugas now settled at SeaWorld facilities, out of an expected 16 as part of the wider rescue plan. Combined with earlier transports to SeaWorld San Antonio, Georgia Aquarium, and Shedd Aquarium, the full effort has already moved more than 20 whales to new, accredited homes — with Mystic Aquarium and Oceanogràfic València in Spain also part of the coalition working to place the rest.

Exactly when the next transport happens isn’t being announced ahead of time — organizers say the whales’ safety and readiness will always come before a timeline.

Three more whales, one very long flight behind them, and a whole team making sure the hardest part — settling in — goes just as carefully as the journey did.

Sources: Seaworld