MYSTIC, Conn.– A 9-year-old beluga whale at the Mystic Aquarium named Kharabali has died, marking the third death among the five whales transported there from Canada in 2021.
Kharabali began swimming abnormally in November, and “her strange behavior continued to develop.” She was eventually transferred to the intensive care unit of the aquarium's Aquatic Animal Study Center and died Monday, the aquarium announced Tuesday.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
“Her spirit touched us all, and we are heartbroken by her passing. Kharabali received the utmost care and love during her time with us, and we will always cherish the moments we shared,” said Dr. Allison Tuttle, the chief zoological officer, said in a news release.
Kharabali is the third whale from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to die after arriving at the Mystic Aquarium. A male beluga named Havok died in August 2021, and a female named Havana died in February 2022.
Both whales had underlying terminal conditions that led to their deaths, the aquarium said.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection after Havoc's death revealed problems with the care of this whale and others. An aquarium spokeswoman said at the time that the issues raised during the inspection were being addressed.
A third whale, Jetta, who became ill in 2021, is now thriving, according to the aquarium.
Animal rights activists had unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit to block the whale's transport. They said a permit issued by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service did not adequately address the potential harm the belugas would experience if they were moved to the Connecticut aquarium.
The whales, which were between 7 and 12 years old at the time of transport, were born in captivity and officials say they cannot be safely released into the ocean.
The aquarium said it provided Kharabali with 24-hour medical treatment and monitoring.
“This loss weighs heavily on us,” the aquarium said in its news release, “especially our animal care staff.”
