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Dead belugas replaced

UPDATE: 1:50 p.m.

The Vancouver Aquarium says it will not have any more belugas in captivity by 2029, but in the meantime it will be bringing in new ones.

The announcement, which comes three months after two resident belugas named Aurora and Qila died, said a plan will be put in place to phase out the whales.

Head veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena and CEO and president John Nightingale made the announcement saying changes will be made.

The aquarium announced that three to five belugas will be part of a new exhibit, but they will not be placed in the same habitat as Aurora and Qila. The new exhibit will focus on research instead of captive breeding.

After spending $100,000 in testing, the cause of death for the two belugas is still unknown – but the officials added that they believe an “untraceable toxin” was likely the culprit.

Vancouver police will be investigating to determine if the toxins were planted by humans.

The new exhibit is expected to be open by March 2019.

– with files from CTV Vancouver


ORIGINAL: 12:45 p.m.

The Vancouver Aquarium will be making an announcement about the future of its on-site cetacean program.

The announcement comes on the heels of back-to-back beluga deaths.

CEO and president John Nightingale and head veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena will be speaking at 1 p.m. at the Marine Science Centre.

There are few details on what the announcement will be about.

The Vancouver Park board recently delayed a decision about a possible vote to change whale and dolphin captivity at the Vancouver Aquarium.

A staff report was requested to be presented to the board in February.

Park board commissioner Sarah Kirby-Yung asked for a halt in introducing any more whales or dolphins until after the 2018 civic election.

– with files from CTV Vancouver and The Canadian Press



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