A nine-year-old beluga whale named Cyprus died unexpectedly at SeaWorld San Diego on Sunday night, 18 October, after arriving from Canada in August as part of a rescue effort involving three whales from a closed marine park.
SeaWorld San Diego announced the death in a Facebook post, saying Cyprus had stopped eating two days before his death.
An ultrasound showed that his intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally, which could indicate a serious, life-threatening condition, the organisation said.
A full necropsy will be conducted, with the results to be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Cyprus arrived from Canada in August
Cyprus arrived at SeaWorld San Diego on 22 August alongside two other male belugas, Xavier and Jasper. The whales were transferred from Marineland, a closed marine park in Canada, as part of a rescue operation.
The three belugas travelled more than 2,500 miles in specialised cold-water transport units, accompanied by a team of animal care specialists.
SeaWorld said Xavier and Jasper remained in stable condition and continued to adjust to their new surroundings.
The transfer followed the closure of Marineland, where the whales had been kept before being moved to California.
Why was the beluga named Cyprus?
The origin of Cyprus’ name remains unclear. Publicly available beluga records identify the whale and document his background, but no reliable source has confirmed why he was given the name Cyprus.
There is also no verified information indicating whether his name was connected to the Mediterranean island or whether it was chosen for another reason.
Marineland’s historical records and information published by SeaWorld do not provide a confirmed explanation for the name.
The cause of Cyprus’ death has not yet been established. The findings of the planned necropsy are expected to provide further information about his condition.
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