Beluga Enclosure

Located in a grotto offshoot from the main path, the beluga enclosure houses five of the white whales in an incredibly spacious and naturalistic enclosure meant to emulate the feeling of seeing the species in their natural habitat.

The five belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) call a 900,000 gallon aquarium their home, making it the largest outdoor beluga habitat in the world, beating out the previous record holder Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut by 150,000 gallons, also beating Georgia Aquarium’s indoor beluga tank by 100,000 gallons. The habitat clocks in at just under two acres. The exhibit itself has a diving depth of 30 feet,

This habitat is themed to a rocky and icy coastline, featuring “ice sheets” where trainers can come out and interact with the animals but don’t appear don’t of place. The substrate of the habitat features crushed coral and gravel that gives the bottom of the habitat a rockier look rather than concrete. Because of the beluga’s need for cooler water, the water is chilled to a cool 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

The habitat is equipped with over-water viewing where guests can get a look at the habitat and experience animal training talks where keepers come out and train the animals to do behaviors, or you can head “underground” and take a look at the underwater viewing windows, themed to an icy cave that gives a great look at the arctic giants. The animals may even swim up to the glass and pose for a picture or two.

This pod of five belugas are rescues from Canadian aquariums after the anti-captive cetacean bill passed, and due to this they are captive born and raised. The animals do not breed and do not perform tricks, but instead are encouraged to partake in natural behaviors.

Inside the habitat are live fish that the belugas live alongside and act as enrichment. The belugas will occasionally chase and eat the fish, allowing them to partake in natural hunting behaviors, but generally the two don’t interact due to being fed enough already.

Towards the back of the habitat is a miniature display of an arctic oil rig. Guests who read the educational interpretive signs (themed to a scientist’s journal pages) will learn about the plight of arctic species due to the industry of oil drilling in the oceans.

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