Beluga whale Havok dies in captivity months after transfer

Havok, one of five beluga whales moved to the Mystic Aquarium in May, has tragically died from a pre-existing medical condition according to the aquarium's vets.

Havok was the only male beluga in the group that was transferred from Marineland in Ontario, Canada to Mystic in Connecticut, USA.

WDC strongly opposed plans for the move back in 2019, warning of the dangers posed to the whales. While Canadian law no longer allows whales and dolphins to be brought into captivity there is an exemption for the export of cetaceans already held for research purposes.

Beluga whales do not do well in captive facilities and WDC has successfully opposed several attempts to take more whales from the wild by the captivity industry in recent years.

We also continue our work to provide sanctuaries for captive whales and dolphins.