A dolphin that was transported from Marineland has passed away in Spain, becoming the fifth animal from the now-closed Niagara Falls, Ontario, tourist spot to perish following a significant relocation of whales and dolphins during the summer.
Echo, a blind Black Sea bottlenose dolphin estimated to be 30 years old, succumbed on Wednesday at Oceanogràfic de València. The facility reported that Echo encountered difficulties with swallowing and breathing, leading to her transfer to the medical pool. Despite efforts by Oceanografic’s animal care and veterinary teams, her condition rapidly deteriorated, resulting in her passing overnight.
Echo, together with three other dolphins and two belugas, was moved to Oceanogràfic on August 26 in a lengthy 19-hour journey from the closed Niagara Falls attraction. Oceanogràfic is conducting necropsies on Echo and the other animal that died and collaborating with pathology experts at CEU Cardenal Herrera University to determine the cause of death.
The remaining four animals from Canada are reportedly in good health and are being closely monitored by Oceanogràfic’s professional teams. Echo’s death has been particularly challenging for the Oceanogràfic team due to their dedicated care for her specific needs since her arrival.
Since Marineland transferred 30 belugas and four dolphins to five different parks over the summer, four belugas and one dolphin have now passed away. Three of the belugas died at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, along with one of the aquarium’s resident belugas.
Marineland closed its doors in 2024, citing financial difficulties and an inability to care for its marine mammals, which faced euthanasia if not relocated. A deal with Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China was rejected by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, who emphasized that China’s laws did not align with Canada’s ban on whale and dolphin captivity.
Marineland eventually sought assistance from a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums to relocate its whales and dolphins. The moves began in mid-July and concluded by the end of August. Investigations are ongoing at both Shedd Aquarium and Oceanogràfic to determine the causes of the animals’ deaths.
Before the transfers, veterinarians from all parks attended Marineland for months to assess the animals’ health for transport, a process approved by Thompson after reviewing updated health information.