As part of a rescue mission six years in the making, Iceland finally welcomed its newest — and arguably cutest — residents: two beluga whales named Little Grey and Little White. Beyond giving tourists another reason to visit Iceland, these 12-year-old females will eventually christen the world’s first open-water sanctuary for belugas.
Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Rescue
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After 10 years trapped in a Chinese aquarium, white whales were released. Before returning to the oceans, they will spend time at a shelter in order to get used to wildlife again.
The Whales That Were Released
Whales were released
Two white whales, also known as belunga whales, were trapped in a Chinese aquarium until rescued. Called Little Gray and Little White, they needed to spend time under supervision.
This species suffers from the Russian practice of capturing them in order to sell them to aquariums in China. The two rescued whales were victims of this scheme.
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After 10 years trapped in a Chinese aquarium, white whales were released. Before returning to the oceans, they will spend time at a shelter in order to get used to wildlife again.
The Whales That Were Released
Whales were released
Two white whales, also known as belunga whales, were trapped in a Chinese aquarium until rescued. Called Little Gray and Little White, they needed to spend time under supervision.
This species suffers from the Russian practice of capturing them in order to sell them to aquariums in China. The two rescued whales were victims of this scheme.
It all happened after the purchase of the aquarium by a British group called Melin that brings with it conservation values.
Among the practices, the rule that does not accept whales and dolphins trapped in their aquariums stands out. In this way, Little Gray and Little White were released.
After all, after 10 years in captivity, further analysis was needed before releasing them back to nature. Until then they were trapped in covered pools, the two whales needed to gain mass and fat to support the ocean.
As a result, they lost some of their instinct, even about their body. They need resistance to the arctic waters, likewise, to get used to different marine environments.
The Transport Of White Whales
To take the two belunga whales to the sanctuary required the help of cranes and protections that support up to a ton.
Transport ranged from the conservation area where they will undergo analysis to the world’s first open sea sanctuary in Iceland.
There were about 9,000 kilometers of distance between one point and another, as a result it was about 10 hours of travel in total.
It all happened after the purchase of the aquarium by a British group called Melin that brings with it conservation values.
Among the practices, the rule that does not accept whales and dolphins trapped in their aquariums stands out. In this way, Little Gray and Little White were released.
After all, after 10 years in captivity, further analysis was needed before releasing them back to nature. Until then they were trapped in covered pools, the two whales needed to gain mass and fat to support the ocean.
As a result, they lost some of their instinct, even about their body. They need resistance to the arctic waters, likewise, to get used to different marine environments.
According to Lonely Planet, conservation charity Sea Life Trust led the operation, freeing Little Grey and Little White from captivity in Changfeng Ocean World, Shanghai. The whales traveled 6,000 miles by land, sea, and even air to Klettsvik Bay, where they are currently acclimating to the natural environment at a sea sanctuary care area. This is the final stage in the process before releasing them into a larger open-water sanctuary located in the Westman Islands off Iceland’s southern coast.
This is the first time Little Grey and Little White have been in the sea since they were taken from a Russian whale research center in 2011. The team of experts monitoring their progress in adapting to the ocean environment has reported nothing but good news since their Aug. 8 arrival.
“Following extensive planning and rehearsals, the first stage of their release back to the ocean was as smooth as we had hoped and planned for,” said Andy Bool, head of Sea Life Trust, in a statement. “[We] hope to announce their final release very soon.”
Eventually, Little Grey and Little White won’t be the only residents at the Beluga Whale Sanctuary, which was created in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation. The site will also be home to a puffin hospital for monitoring and researching puffin chicks. In addition, the sanctuary will soon offer carefully regulated, small-group boat trips so visitors can catch a glimpse of Little Grey and Little White enjoying their new habitat.