#belgua

A toxin was the cause of death for two beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium last November, but the exact substance couldn’t be identified.

The aquarium announced the conclusion of a five-month investigation Thursday saying that an investigation also determined the toxin was likely introduced by food, water or through human interference.

The belugas, 21-year-old Qila and her mother, 30-year-old Aurora, died nine days apart last November from what officials said was a mysterious illness.

The aquarium’s head veterinarian, Dr. Martin Haulena, said in an interview that the death of the belugas was devastating for staff and the public.

“It’s like when you lose a close family member and you go through this classic mourning syndrome,” he said, adding that the final results of the investigation have helped bring closure to the incident.

Haulena said the toxin was likely introduced to the whales in the weeks or days leading up to their deaths.

लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनोभवंतु ॥ lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

Vancouver Aquarium | Vancouver | British Columbia | Canada

Airbus A300-600 ST Super Transporter "Beluga" Flying in Formation with the Dassault/Dornier Alphajets of the French Air Force Patrouille de France Aerial Demonstration Team