Warrior Paws Rescue & Wildlife Rehabilitation

10/22/2026

He was supposed to be getting a second chance at life... 💔

SeaWorld San Diego has announced the heartbreaking death of Cyprus, a 9-year-old beluga whale who was rescued from a shuttered Canadian aquarium less than two months ago.

What's especially devastating is that he reportedly did so well after arriving at his new home.

Cyprus was one of three male belugas transported to San Diego in late August after Marineland of Canada closed its doors. He arrived alongside Xavier, 13, and Jasper, 9, as part of a larger rescue effort to relocate the animals.

According to SeaWorld, Cyprus had been eating regularly, adjusting to his new surroundings, and interacting well with trainers and the other whales.

But late last week, something suddenly changed...

Cyprus stopped eating, prompting veterinarians to conduct an emergency medical evaluation. An ultrasound revealed that his intestinal tract wasn't functioning normally, raising concerns about a potentially LIFE-THREATENING condition.

Despite SeaWorld's veterinary and animal care teams' attention, Cyprus unexpectedly passed away. At just 9 years old, he was incredibly young for a species that can reportedly live up to 90 YEARS.

SeaWorld says a full necropsy will be conducted to determine exactly what caused his death.

Meanwhile, Xavier and Jasper, the two belugas rescued alongside him, are reportedly in stable health and being closely monitored.

10/21/2026

Six of the 30 belugas and one of the four dolphins, removed from the now-closed Marineland Ontario in Canada two months ago, have already died:
Rest in peace to Echo the dolphin and to belugas Caspian, Rain, Jelly Bean, Peekachu, Osiris, and now Cyprus, who died just this week.

We are disgusted by the massive amount of people who defended Marineland Ontario over the years as it violently captured whales & dolphins from the wild and then ruthlessly pushed for breeding til the tanks were way beyond capacity, trapped performing circus tricks to amuse tourists.

Between only 2019-2026, at least 19 belugas, bottlenose dolphin "Sonar", and Canada's last remaining orca in captivity, "Kiska," perished at that dump of a theme park.

When Marineland closed to the public two years ago, the surviving animals languished in poor conditions with no end in sight.

Unfortunately, no true sanctuary for whale retirement exists anywhere in the world that could accommodate even one of the belugas or dolphins, so they were sent to SeaWorld parks, Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, and Spain's Oceanogràfic València.

10/21/2026

10/19/2026

We are saddened to share that Cyprus, a nine-year-old male beluga rescued from a dire situation in Canada that came to SeaWorld San Diego on August 22, has passed away unexpectedly.

Cyprus stopped eating two days ago which prompted our veterinarians and animal care team to conduct a thorough medical exam. An ultrasound showed that his intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally and could indicate a serious life-threatening condition. Veterinarians worked throughout the night, providing immediate medical attention.

Cyprus had been doing well since his arrival. He was eating consistently, acclimating to his new environment and interacting with his trainers and animal care team, along with the two other rescued belugas.

Like many species, belugas can mask discomfort or underlying concerns that are not immediately visible. A full necropsy will be conducted, and the cause of the passing will be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Like our colleagues at the other AZA-accredited facilities that rescued these belugas, we understood each animal would be navigating a significant transition and that their complete health picture, including conditions that may have developed over time, could only become clearer through ongoing assessment and care.

The other rescued belugas in our care continue to be in stable health and remain under close monitoring as they continue to adjust to their surroundings. As we have indicated, this process will take a considerable amount of time. Our commitment to the health, well-being and care of these belugas, like every animal we rescue, continues. 💙

10/18/2026

Unbelievable:(

Yet another beluga from Marineland has died, just eight weeks after being moved to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. 💔

Caspian, a 27-year-old female, had stopped eating properly and her blood had become "dangerously acidic," according to the aquarium.

She spent nearly four hours on life support before she died, though her exact cause of death remains unknown.

She's now the sixth whale to die among the 30 belugas and 4 dolphins relocated from the shuttered Niagara Falls park this summer — including three other belugas in Chicago, and a beluga and a dolphin in Spain.

Everything else we know so far in the comments. 👇

📸: Carlos Osorio | The Canadian Press

07/14/2026

Finally, whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Canada will no longer be forced to spend their lives in captivity for entertainment.

In 2019, Canada officially banned the captivity and breeding of whales, dolphins, and porpoises for entertainment, marking a landmark victory for marine animal welfare and ending the practice for future generations.

The historic law protects these highly intelligent marine mammals from being captured, bred, or kept in tanks for entertainment, while allowing rescued animals that cannot survive in the wild to continue receiving lifelong care.

Animal protection organizations welcomed the legislation, calling it a major milestone that recognizes these animals belong in the ocean, where they can swim freely, form lifelong social bonds, and live as nature intended.

Supporters say the ban reflects growing scientific understanding that whales, dolphins, and porpoises are sentient animals capable of experiencing joy, stress, and suffering, and should never be treated as entertainment.

For many animal lovers, this victory is about more than ending captivity.

It is about giving these incredible marine animals the freedom, dignity, and respect they have always deserved.

Because no whale or dolphin belongs in a tank when the ocean is their true home.