Ex-Marineland beluga that died in Spain developed 'complex clinical condition,' aquarium says | CBC News

Oceanogràfic València says investigation continues into deaths of rescued beluga and dolphin

A beluga whale and dolphin that died within weeks of being transferred out of Marineland had been experiencing a list of health complications and organ abnormalities that could've developed prior to the transfer, Oceanogràfic València said in a news release on Oct. 14.

Beluga Jelly Bean and dolphin Echo arrived, along with three other dolphins and beluga whale Cleopatra, to the aquarium in Valencia, Spain, on Aug. 27, but died just under a month after the move. Meanwhile, four other Marineland whales — Peekachu, Rain, Osiris and Caspian — have died since the rescue at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, along with another beluga that did not come from Marineland.

Per the preliminary findings, Jelly Bean developed "a complex clinical condition," showing signs of metabolic disorder and electrolyte imbalance in the days before her death.

Marineland belugas that died in Chicago had chronic inflammatory disease, preliminary necropsy findings show

Marineland dolphin dies at Spain aquarium, marking 5th death after rescue transfer

Abnormalities were found in Jelly Bean's heart, as well as an enlarged thyroid gland and shrunken adrenal glands, all organs responsible for regulating metabolism, according to the post-mortem findings.

According to Oceanogràfic València's news release, she arrived with a "severe vision impairment and limited mobility in one of her flippers." And in the days leading up to her death, they say Echo was showing neurological and respiratory symptoms, which required "continuous veterinary care."

The Spanish aquarium says it has specialists investigating "the responsible infectious agent" and that direct transmission between dolphins of the parasitic disease does not happen.

Oceanogràfic València says it will continue to investigate the deaths of Jelly Bean and Echo.

"This was a rescue mission, aimed at giving the remaining belugas the best chance at a safe, healthy life based on individual health assessments, with an understanding of the risks involved," a spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans Canada told CBC News in an email Wednesday.

"We all knew the whales at Marineland were sick," Rose told CBC News on Wednesday.