Six beluga whales arrived in U.S. aquariums after being moved from a closed Canadian marine park that could no longer care for the mammals.

They are part of a large group of 30 belugas living in Canada’s Marineland that need to be rehomed.

Sierra, Acadia, Osiris and Lillooet arrived at a facility in Chicago, while Bertie Botts and Frankie arrived at SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas.

Transported in specialized cold water containers by truck and plane, the animals were accompanied throughout the trip by marine mammal veterinarians. This is the first stage of an unprecedented international relocation effort.

The move came after months of planning and veterinary checks, and teams of specialists are now monitoring the whales as they settle into their new homes.