Two beluga whales have arrived at SeaWorld San Antonio as part of an international effort to relocate animals from Marineland of Canada, a now-closed marine park that officials say can no longer provide long-term care.

The whales are among the first six of a pod of 30 to be moved to the United States, with the other four transferred to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

SeaWorld said the whales made the trip in specialized cold-water containers, traveling by truck and plane with marine mammal veterinarians and animal care teams accompanying them throughout the journey.