Animals, especially whales in captivity for the entertainment of humans is a growing debate with no real solution in sight. However, some incidents have ended in favor of animals rehabilitated into the wild, where the taste of freedom is often overwhelming. One such incredible event in 2020, involved was the rehoming of two Beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White. The whales were transported from China to Iceland. Besides several animal activists who were happy, it was the whales who expressed the most joy, and appeared to be smiling.
Rehoming Animals Long Distance is Not Easy.
The task of re-homing animals is highly challenging and entails a considerable responsibility. Given this fact, one can only imagine how difficult it was to take two beluga whales in the middle of a global pandemic to another continent to be re-homed.
A Story That Ends Well
The two remarkable beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White embarked on an incredible journey from captivity to the freedom of the ocean. This is their heartwarming story.
Captured Off the Coast of Russia
Little Grey and Little White were captured as young whales off the coast of Russia in 2011. They were soon sold to the Changfeng Ocean World Aquarium in China.
Life in Captivity
The whales were part of the Changfeng Ocean World Aquarium in Shanghai, for 10 years where they performed for visitors. From the freedom of the ocean, these beautiful animals were at the mercy of humans, undergoing rigorous training and living in an enclosure that negatively impacted their health.
Beluga Whales in Captivity suffer health issues.
Beluga whales in captivity often suffer from health problems such as skin lesions, infections, and stress-related illnesses due to unnatural living conditions.
Behavioral Problems
Captive environments, no matter how large, cannot compare to the vast open waters of their natural habitat, leading to physical and psychological stress. Captivity can cause significant behavioral changes, including repetitive movements, aggression, and depression, as the whales are deprived of their natural social structures and activities.
Life Takes a Fortunate Turn.
In 2012, the Shanghai aquarium was purchased by Merlin Entertainments, a company that was firmly against keeping whales in captivity for entertainment. The company then took the decision to rehome the whales and initiated an ambitious plan in motion. It proposed supporting an organization to set up a Whale sanctuary in Iceland.
A First-Of-Its-Kind Sanctuary for the Whales
The Beluga Whale Sanctuary was established by Sea Life Trust in 2020 to provide beluga whales with a safe and natural home. Supporting the endeavor was Merlin Entertainments and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). The world’s first open-water reserve for belugas, the sanctuary is spread across 32,000 acres of water in Klettsvik Bay, on the island of Heimaey, in Iceland’s southern Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Little Grey and Little White were its first residents; however, the sanctuary’s population has grown to include a Puffin Rescue Centre, too.
The Relocation Process
Relocating the whales was no small feat. Each whale weighed over a ton and required specialized equipment and a team of veterinarians. In June 2020, the process of rehoming the whales was set in motion. Several practice runs were rehearsed before the final procedure.
A Long Journey to a New Home
The arduous process of transport involved loading the belugas out of their care pool and onto a truck. For this, they needed to get the whales into stretchers modified to hold their weight. Once onto a car, they would be taken to a tug boat to begin the long journey to their new home.
Happy Smiles, They Knew What Was Happening.
The journey involved transport by land, sea, and air. What surprised many was how calm and composed the whales were during the process. The humans were more stressed, given the extent and magnitude of the endeavor, but the whales, on the other hand, appeared to know what was happening. Many could swear they were smiling.
Acclimatization
Once the whales arrived in Iceland, they were kept in a care facility for a week. This was done to allow them to adjust to the colder Icelandic environment. After all, they had travelled a long way. The final part of the journey from the care facility to the sanctuary was less than 6,000- miles as compared to the journey from Changfeng Ocean World.
A New Beginning
After acclimatization, the whales were moved to a bayside quarantine care pool in Klettsvik Bay, where they could experience the sea again. The whales were kept there for several months, during which they received medical care and nourishment to prepare them for freedom. They would soon be released into their new home.
Life in the Sanctuary
Now, in the sanctuary, Little Grey and Little White live in a much larger, natural environment, offering them a life closer to what nature intended. The role of Merlin Entertainments, The WDC and Sea Life Trust is to be commended for such a daring and hopeful initiative. It might be argued that both whales are still under humans, but owing to the nature of their captivity, both Little Grey and Little White cannot be completely released in the wild. They would not survive.
The Impact of Climate Change
Climate change and pollution have severely impacted beluga whale habitats, making sanctuaries like Klettsvik Bay essential for their survival. Rising ocean temperatures are leading to unprecedented changes in seasonal ice coverage and thickness. These unpredictable ice patterns disrupt the beluga whales’ ability to migrate along their usual routes, increasing the risk of becoming trapped in the ice. This puts them at risk of predators like the polar bear.
Public Awareness
The story of Little Grey and Little White has raised public awareness about the plight of captive whales and the importance of conservation. One of the biggest problems is captive belugas. Belugas are often rounded up and captured in villages like Nilmoguba in Russia. From here, hundreds are transported in poor conditions to be sold into captivity. Several are taken to China and many often do not make it alive.
Russia has Issued a Public Ban.
In 2023, President Vladimir Putin signed a law officially banning the capture of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals for educational and cultural purposes. The law, which came into effect in 2024, may well reduce the plight of these beautiful animals.
Future Plans for the Sanctuary
The Beluga sanctuary in Iceland aims to help other belugas in captivity, using the lessons learned from Little Grey and Little White’s relocation. The successful re-homing of Little Grey and Little White offers hope for the future of other captive whales around the world. Their journey from captivity to freedom is a testament to the dedication of conservationists and the enduring spirit of these remarkable creatures.
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