Mystic Aquarium announces imported beluga has died - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com

A beluga whale that arrived at the Mystic Aquarium in May on a controversial export permit from Canada has died.

The aquarium in a statement said the male beluga died Friday about 6:30 a.m. He was being treated for gastric ulcers developed before arriving and had been showing signs of improvement throughout his acclimation period, according to the aquarium.

The aquarium said the whale was stable for the transport despite his preexisting condition.

Aquarium spokesman Dan Pasquera said the exact cause of death is unknown and the aquarium likely will withhold further comment until the results of a necropsy come back. The whale is being examined at the University of Connecticut with the aquarium's medical team assisting, according to the aquarium.

"We will also continue to carefully monitor the other beluga whales, who are healthy and behaving normally," the statement said. "The information we have indicates that this is an isolated situation and that none of the other whales have had their health impacted."

The whale arrived with four others from Marineland in Ontario, Canada, where they were living in an overcrowded tank with 47 other beluga whales.

The whales, all between 5 and 6 years old, are part of non-invasive research at the aquarium that is meant to help with wild beluga conservation efforts.

Mystic Aquarium had been involved in a yearslong process of moving the whales to the aquarium's Arctic Coast habitat to join the three resident belugas: Juno, an 18-year-old male; Natasha, a 41-year-old female; and Kela, a 40-year-old female.

The decision to transport the whales to Mystic from Canada was a controversial one, with many animal rights groups speaking out against the move. The Canadian government had to approve a permit that allowed the transport to move forward.

"This is devastating for the staff and community, especially for the members of the animal care team who work closely with the belugas and not only contribute to critical research aimed at saving endangered populations but inspire thousands of visitors each year to protect marine life as well," the statement said. "Grief counselors are available for all team members as we cope with this heartbreaking and tragic loss."

This is a developing story.

e.regan@theday.com

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