In a sad turn of events, another beluga whale has passed away at Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium, raising concerns about the facility's care of these marine mammals. The 9-year-old beluga whale named Kharabali began showing abnormal swimming behavior in November, and despite efforts to treat her, her condition continued to deteriorate. She was eventually transferred to the intensive care facility at the aquarium's Aquatic Animal Study Center but unfortunately died on Monday.

The death of Kharabali marks the third loss among the five whales that were transported to Mystic Aquarium from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 2021. Earlier in August 2021, a male beluga named Havok died, followed by the death of a female beluga named Havana in February 2022. The aquarium stated that both of these whales had underlying incurable conditions that contributed to their deaths. However, an inspection conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after Havok's death revealed issues with the overall care of the whales at the facility.

The inspection findings prompted concerns from animal rights activists who had previously sued unsuccessfully to halt the transport of the beluga whales to the Connecticut aquarium. They argued that the permit granted by the U.S. Commerce Secretary and the National Marine Fisheries Service did not adequately address the potential harm caused to the belugas during the transportation process. Despite these concerns, the aquarium moved forward with the transfer, stating that the belugas, who were born in captivity, could not be safely released into the ocean.

While the cause of Kharabali's death is yet to be determined, a necropsy will be conducted to shed light on the circumstances surrounding her passing. Dr. Allison Tuttle, the chief zoological officer at Mystic Aquarium, expressed her grief over the loss and emphasized the love and care provided to Kharabali during her time at the facility. "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. Tuttle in a news release.

Fortunately, not all the whales transported to Mystic Aquarium faced such tragic outcomes. Jetta, another beluga who fell ill in 2021, is reportedly thriving under the care provided by the facility. Nonetheless, the loss of Kharabali weighs heavily on the animal care staff, as stated by the aquarium in its news release.

The Mystic Aquarium now faces increased scrutiny regarding its practices and treatment of the beluga whales under its care. The previous inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted concerns about the facility's handling of the whales, and it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed moving forward. The death of Kharabali serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by captive marine mammals and the need for stringent regulations to ensure their well-being.