We all know that the home of all wild animals is in the wild. Keeping these animals into small spaces can harm them, physically and mentally. The two Beluga Whales are in their wild home after being rescued from a Chinese aquarium, in which they were trapped for more than a decade. In the aquarium, they were like in a circus where they performed different tricks to get food.
2 beluga whales were released to a new open-sea sanctuary in Iceland, after 10 years in a Chinese aquarium.
Little White & Little Grey are being trained to get used to natural currents. Organizers hope to rescue ~300 other belugas still in aquariums.
(… pic.twitter.com/qMkXKEzZRs pic.twitter.com/QYQhhoIjQd
These sweet creatures barely lived; in fact, they survived all those ten years in that place. They were only a couple of years old when captured, and were kept in the Russian research station. After the research, the two whales were moved to the Ocean World in Shanghai, China.
There they got their names: Little White and Little Grey. Ten years after, the two sweet creatures were rescued by a UK based group named Sea Life Trust.
The Beluga Whales were 2,000 lbs. (900kg), and they were 13 feet (4 meters) long. To finally reach their home, the whales were transported more than 6,000 miles to Klettsvik Bay, in an open-water ocean refuge in Iceland. This shelter will allow them to live and swim together with their sort until the end of their lives.
Andy Bool is a part of the group Sea Life Trust, which saved the two whales, and in the same time its CEO, declared that they are pleased they succeeded to return Little Grey and Little White into their home, to live with their friends, and swim with the rest of the Beluga Whales. He added that during the transport, they were following extensive planning and rehearsals. The first stage from the road Aquarium, Shanghai, China –Klettsvik Bay, Iceland, passed very well as planned.
Besides, to pass half of the world, transporting two whales is not an easy task. Both of the whales are female, and they were placed in individual slings that would protect their bodies. Then, the creatures were moved in a truck, to a Boeing 747-400EFR cargo aircraft. In the last phase, the whales were in a tugboat from where they arrived in Iceland.
Sea Life Trust spokesperson declared:
‘Little Grey and Little White are in their bayside care pool to adapt to their new natural home and environment. After their adaptation process, the whales will be released in the Klettsvik Bay in the Westman Islands off the south coast of Island.’
Furthermore, an expert team and individual vets were with these animals during the transport. According to them, the whales are healthy, and they are feeding right. Regarding the pictures, you can conclude only one thing: Both of the whales are finally thrilled to get back to their real homes. It is very heartwarming.
Below is a video in which the Beluga Whales are transported into their permanent home – Ocean.
If you are amazed as much as I am, please share this video with your friends!
Follow I Believe In Mother Nature On Facebook & Instagram
Facebook Comments