We’re keeping you close to the latest news, updates and stories about the newest belugas at Shedd and their journeys of rescue, care and wellbeing. Follow along here for more about their arrivals, how they’re adjusting to life at Shedd and more!
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October 19, 2026
Gimli swims in the Underwater Viewing area of the Abbott Oceanarium during 24/7 observations
Secord participates in a training session
There's a little more splashing, exploring and socializing happening among Shedd's six rescued belugas!
From engaging with new enrichment to spending more time together, the whales are showing us more of their individual personalities. That includes Secord spending time alongside her son Gimli, and Acadia swimming with her son Yukon.
They're also eating well and growing more comfortable participating in their veterinary care, important steps as our teams continue to support their individual health and well-being.
Get to know the whales a little better and catch up on their latest milestones in our blog here.
October 9, 2026
Today, we share the difficult news that Caspian, the 27-year-old rescued beluga, has passed away. Additionally In our latest blog, we’re sharing what we know about Caspian, final reports on Rain and Peekachu, early findings on Osiris and progress among the six remaining rescued belugas. Read more here.
October 2, 2026
Caretakers use tactile cues for Sierra's eye exam.
Sierra presents her fluke for a voluntary blood draw.
Small Steps for the Rescued Belugas
Rescued beluga Sierra is becoming more familiar with her caretakers, who are using touch cues she already knew to communicate with her. The team is seeing her respond more regularly during training sessions, and that growing familiarity is opening new opportunities for her care.
This week, Sierra presented her flukes for her first blood draw at Shedd and took part in an important eye exam, giving our veterinary team important to help assess her health. Read more here about this step forward in Sierra’s care, plus the latest updates on Secord and Caspian.
September 25, 2026
The rescued belugas in the Abbott Oceanarium
Following the Clinical Evidence: Preliminary Medical Findings from the Losses of Peekachu, Rain and Beethoven
Today, as part of our ongoing updates, we are sharing important preliminary medical findings from the investigation into the losses of rescued belugas Peekachu and Rain and longtime Shedd resident, Beethoven. Read more here.
September 21, 2026
Remembering Osiris, a Rescued Beluga Whale
We are disheartened to share that Osiris, a 26-year-old rescued female beluga that came to us in late July, has passed away. Read more here.
September 18, 2026
Doing Rounds with Resident and Rescued Belugas
Every day, Shedd’s animal care and veterinary teams are building a clearer picture of how each beluga is doing.
This week, we’re taking a closer look at how the approaches to care differ between the resident and rescued belugas, what teams are learning from each whale and how 24-hour monitoring helps guide their care. Read the full update here.
September 11, 2026
This week’s beluga care update takes a closer look at nutrition and hydration, and how our teams are adapting care based on what each rescued whale needs.
We’re sharing what our teams are seeing across the pod, what we continue to learn and how those insights are being shared across aquariums. Read the full update here.
September 8, 2026
Important Beluga Care Updates
One week ago, the last of the belugas rescued from a shuttered marine park in Canada arrived at Shedd Aquarium. Here's a fuller look at what our animal care and veterinary teams are seeing both across the rescued whales and Shedd's resident pod. Read more here.
September 3, 2026
Beethoven
Rain
Sharing in the Loss of Beethoven and Rain
Today we share the difficult loss of two beluga whales at Shedd Aquarium: Beethoven, a 34-year-old male who had been part of Shedd’s resident pod for decades, and Rain, a 20-year-old female who arrived several weeks ago as part of the recent international rescue effort. Read more here.
September 1, 2026
Welcoming Yukon and Gimli - Final Rescued Belugas Join the Pod
Yukon and Gimli arrived safely at Shedd today, completing the third and final transport to Chicago in a months-long international rescue effort.
For the two males, 8-year-old Yukon and 7-year-old Gimli, arrival is a meaningful milestone. It is also the start of a transition that will take time. They are getting to know a new habitat, new caregivers, new routines and, eventually, new social dynamics within the rescued beluga group.
Our animal care and veterinary teams will remain with Yukon and Gimli around the clock, closely observing their appetite, hydration, behavior, and interactions with other whales. That information will guide every next step in their care.
“We’re not working from a single timetable,” said Charlie Jacobsma, director of animal behavior and training at Shedd Aquarium. “Each whale arrives with an individual history and their own way of showing us what they need. Our job is to pay close attention, build trust and make careful choices about when to offer support and when to give them more time and space.”
In the weeks ahead, teams will consider opportunities for Gimli and Yukon to reconnect with their mothers, Acadia and Secord. Those introductions will be guided by the animals themselves and what they show us they are ready for.
“We’ll be learning something new about Yukon and Gimli every day,” Jacobsma said. “We look forward to sharing more about who they are as that relationship takes shape.”
August 26, 2026
Remembering Peekachu, a Rescued Beluga Whale
We are deeply and profoundly saddened to share the loss of Peekachu – a 23-year-old female beluga whale recently rescued by Shedd Aquarium. Read more here.
August 13, 2026
This morning we brought Caspian, Peekachu, Secord and Rain home to Shedd, our second successful transport from Canada. They are settling into their new surroundings in the Oceanarium, where teams are caring for and observing them nonstop.
The hope is that very soon, we will reunite the whales with Acadia, Osiris, Lillooet and Sierra, the first of the rescued belugas to arrive at Shedd several weeks ago.
As highly social animals, having familiar faces nearby helps to encourage the whales to confidently and comfortably explore their new home together.
We remain on-site 24/7 to monitor all eight rescued whales and provide them with individualized care and attention. We’ll also continue to look for all the signs that they’re acclimating well like eating and foraging, exploring all parts of their habitats and beginning to bond with caretakers.” – Charlie Jacobsma, director of animal behavior and training
August 5, 2026
The animal care team observes Acadia, Osiris, Lillooet and Sierra as they explore their new habitat.
Rescued Whales are Settling into Their New Home
“Since their arrival at Shedd almost two weeks ago, Acadia, Lillooet, Osiris and Sierra have shown encouraging signs that they’re settling in well. They’re spending time together in Secluded Bay, one of six interconnected habitats in our 3-million-gallon Abbott Oceanarium. We’re starting to see them foraging for fish, eating, socializing and exploring, all great signs they're feeling comfortable and recovering from a long journey.
In this short time our teams have already seen some patterns and personalities start to come through:
- Acadia is the largest of the four rescued belugas — and she’s quickly become known for her healthy appetite, an encouraging sign as she continues adjusting to her new environment.
- Lillooet and Osiris rarely seem far apart. Whether they’re exploring the depths of habitats or resting near the surface, the pair spends much of their time together, offering an early glimpse of their strong bond.
- Sierra appears especially curious about Shedd’s other Oceanarium residents — specifically the belugas and dolphins. She often hangs out near neighboring habitats, vocalizing back and forth with the other whales.
The whales all seem to be curious about their new caretakers and their new home. All four of the belugas have made eye contact with staff making observations in Underwater Viewing as they explore.
As they develop trust in their new environment, our teams and the consistent care they receive, the goal is for them to eventually choose to participate more fully in their own care, as we see in the other resident belugas at Shedd. In the meantime, we are observing them constantly and doing all we can to learn as much about them as possible.” – Charlie Jacobsma, director of animal behavior and training
July 21, 2026
An Update on The First Transport and What We’re Watching For
“We’re excited that Acadia, Osiris, Sierra and Lillooet safely arrived at Shedd early this morning and are settling in together. Our team was with them on the journey from Canada, and we’ll be on-site at Shedd 24/7 to monitor them and provide the care, attention, treatment and nutrition they need.
As with any of our animals, the best indicator of wellbeing is individual and social behavior. We are watching closely for the rescued belugas to eat well, socialize with one another and investigate the habitat, which are positive signs. We are cautiously optimistic as we start to see some of those initial indicators, and our dedicated team will continue to monitor throughout this process to acclimatize the belugas to their new home, caretakers and pod.” – Charlie Jacobsma, director of animal behavior and training