Oceanogràfic València in Spain and a consortium of US aquariums in Georgia, Chicago, San Diego and San Antonio have agreed to take the 30 belugas under a tentative deal that would end whale captivity in Canada. The agreement, announced this week by the federal fisheries ministry, follows months of dispute during which Marineland threatened to euthanize the animals after their sale to China was blocked; permits are still subject to final health checks. Advocacy groups call it the “least worst option” but highlight that three of five belugas previously transferred from Marineland to Mystic Aquarium died, urging independent veterinary evaluation before any move. No definite timeline has been set, with a consortium spokesperson saying transfers could unfold over a matter of weeks.