Vancouver Aquarium belugas died from toxin, experts say
With planned bylaw changes, future of remaining five belugas remains unclear
Two belugas that died at the Vancouver Aquarium last fall succumbed to a mysterious toxic substance, passed to them by food, water or human interference, according to a five-month investigation.
Aurora, a 29-year-old female beluga, died in late November just nine days after her 21-yearold daughter Qila passed away suddenly.
An investigation involving dozens of veterinary pathologists, toxicologists, genome specialists, medical doctors, and field research scientists failed to identify a specific toxin. Some toxins are difficult to identify because they persist for a limited time in the blood stream.
“The loss of Qila and Aurora was devastating,” said Dr. Martin Haulena, head veterinarian at Vancouver Aquarium. “They were beloved members of our family and the community for more than two decades. Their loss is felt profoundly by our staff, members, supporters, and the public.”
To reduce the risk of further infections, the aquarium has introduced an enhanced food-screening process and has removed vegetation adjacent to the habitat. Mechanical water treatment systems are being overhauled as a precaution.
The aquarium has also updated security around the habitat.
Aurora’s time at the aquarium has not been without tragedy.
In 2010, Aurora’s calf Nala died just two weeks after her first birthday when her airway became blocked, and in 2005, three-yearold Tuvaq died from heart arrhythmia. Qila’s three-year-old calf, Tiqa, died of pneumonia in 2011.
These most recent deaths appear to mark the end of the beluga era at the Vancouver Aquarium. Last month, the Vancouver Park Board ordered a draft bylaw to end cetacean captivity.
On March 9, park commissioners asked staff to prepare changes to the Parks Control Bylaw that would ban the importation and display of live cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). The board could enact the bylaw as soon as May 15.
The fate of the aquarium’s five other belugas — currently on loan to breeding programs in the United States — is unclear. The aquarium had planned to bring the whales back to a new habitat in 2019, but the new bylaw may prevent that from happening.
The Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre Program also houses a false killer whale, a Pacific white-sided dolphin and a harbour porpoise in long-term care, which are expected to stay despite the cetacean ban.
The aquarium has been prohibited by the park board from harvesting cetaceans for display since 1996.