A beluga whale rescued from the now-closed Marineland marine park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, developed a complex medical condition involving metabolic problems and organ abnormalities before her death in Spain, according to preliminary findings released by Oceanogràfic València. The 19-year-old whale, named Jelly Bean, died on September 18, less than a month after arriving at the Spanish aquarium as part of an international relocation effort intended to provide a new home for animals from Marineland. The aquarium said its veterinary team identified serious health complications during Jelly Bean’s final days, including a metabolic disorder and an imbalance of electrolytes, which are essential for maintaining normal bodily functions. Post-mortem examinations identified abnormalities affecting her heart, thyroid gland and adrenal glands. The thyroid was significantly enlarged, while the adrenal glands were considerably smaller than expected. These organs play important roles in regulating metabolism and other essential processes in the body. According to the aquarium, Jelly Bean had experienced feeding difficulties after arriving in Spain, prompting veterinarians to increase monitoring and provide additional care. Although her condition appeared to improve at certain points, she later deteriorated. The veterinary team also observed unusual behaviour, including drinking seawater, which the aquarium said further complicated her condition. The preliminary findings suggest that the combination of medical problems may have contributed to her progressive decline and eventual cardiac arrest. Oceanogràfic said some of the abnormalities could have developed before Jelly Bean arrived in Spain, even though they were not necessarily apparent during the health assessments conducted before her transfer. The aquarium stressed that an animal appearing clinically stable does not rule out underlying conditions that may only become detectable through detailed examinations, laboratory testing and microscopic analysis of tissues after death. Jelly Bean was one of several belugas and dolphins transferred from Marineland after the Ontario attraction closed. The relocation was organized to give the remaining animals an opportunity to live in other facilities after concerns emerged about their long-term care. However, several animals have died following the transfers, prompting renewed questions about their health before relocation, the possible effects of transportation and the challenges involved in moving marine mammals with existing medical conditions. Another animal transferred to Oceanogràfic, a 30-year-old Black Sea bottlenose dolphin named Echo, also died following a period of intensive veterinary care. The aquarium reported that Echo arrived with severe vision impairment and limited movement in one of her flippers. Before her death, she developed neurological and respiratory symptoms. Preliminary examinations identified inflammation in brain and nervous tissue consistent with a possible case of toxoplasmosis, an illness caused by a parasite. Further testing is being conducted to identify the infectious agent responsible. The aquarium said toxoplasmosis is not transmitted directly from one dolphin to another, although the investigation into Echo’s death remains ongoing. Specialists from CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia’s Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, and veterinary research groups are assisting with the examinations. The investigation includes post-mortem findings, microscopic tissue analysis, laboratory testing and reviews of the animals’ medical histories. Oceanogràfic said it would release additional information when further results become available. The deaths have renewed debate about the condition of animals held at Marineland before the facility closed. Marine mammal experts have questioned whether underlying health problems could have contributed to the deaths and whether the stresses associated with transport may have worsened existing conditions. Animal welfare advocates have also called for greater transparency about the animals’ medical histories and the assessments used to determine whether they were fit to travel. However, the preliminary findings do not establish that transportation alone caused Jelly Bean’s death, and the investigation has not yet reached final conclusions about all contributing factors. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has described the relocation as a rescue effort intended to give the animals the best possible chance of survival, while acknowledging that some may have carried longstanding health problems. The remaining animals at Oceanogràfic continue to receive veterinary attention and close monitoring as they adjust to their new surroundings. The aquarium said its staff had devoted substantial veterinary and technical resources to caring for the rescued animals and would continue prioritizing their health and welfare. Jelly Bean’s death highlights the medical and logistical challenges involved in relocating large marine mammals, particularly those with potentially undetected health conditions. Investigators are continuing to examine the available evidence to determine the factors that contributed to her death and to improve understanding of the health risks facing other animals transferred from Marineland.