Marineland dolphin dies weeks after move to aquarium in Spain

CANADA Marineland dolphin dies weeks after move to aquarium in Spain By Liam Casey The Canadian Press Posted September 24, 2026 9:11 am 2 min read WATCH: Marineland belugas and dolphins relocated to Spain – Aug 27, 2026 LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE A dolphin shipped out of Marineland has died in Spain, making it the fifth animal from the closed Niagara Falls, Ont., tourist attraction to die after a massive movement of whales and dolphins over the summer. Oceanografic Valencia said Echo, a blind Black Sea bottlenose dolphin believed to be 30 years old, died Wednesday. “In recent hours, Echo began experiencing difficulties swallowing and respiratory problems and was transferred to the medical pool,” Oceanografic said in a statement. “Her condition deteriorated rapidly throughout yesterday and, despite the care provided by Oceanografic’s animal care and veterinary teams, she passed away overnight.” Echo, along with three other dolphins and two belugas, was sent to the Spanish aquarium on Aug. 26 in an epic 19-hour voyage from the shuttered Niagara Falls, Ont., tourist attraction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT One of those belugas, Jelly Bean, died last week. Get daily Montreal news Get daily Montreal news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Oceanografic is conducting necropsies on both animals along with an examination by pathology experts at CEU Cardenal Herrera University to try to understand the cause of death. “The other four animals rescued from Canada are doing well and remain under the care and monitoring of Oceanografic’s professional teams,” Oceanografic said. “Echo’s loss is an especially difficult moment for the Oceanografic team, who had been particularly dedicated to her care and well-being since her arrival due to her specific needs.” Four belugas and one dolphin have now died since Marineland shipped out 30 belugas and four dolphins to five different parks over the summer. Three of those belugas died at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago along with one of the park’s resident belugas. Marineland closed in 2024 and had said it was running out of money and could no longer care for its…