It’s arguably the hardest thing! An animal can go through to find a new home for two beluga whales in the middle of a worldwide epidemic on a new continent.
But it was completed because of some good and hardworking individuals. Little Grey and Little White, the two belugas which were saved, are currently taking their first genuine sea experience since 2011. They unfortunately had a rough beginning to life. When they were very young, they were seized off the Russian shore and made to work for years in a Chinese aquarium. Thankfully, they are currently in Iceland at the Beluga Whale Sanctuary, which is managed by the British nonprofit Sea Life Trust.
In an interview with Bored Panda, marine biologist and writer Leonie Sophia van den Hoek stated: ,,Beluga whales, in my opinion, are like the unicorns of whales because of their rare and lovely white hue.” van den Hoek added. They are even more unique among cetaceans since they lack a dorsal fin.
,,We are warming and polluting their habitat. The water.”
,,The habitat of beluga whales is open water near to the ice edge. They prefer the cold, and climate change is making their habitat’s ice melt. according to van den Hoek. Our usage of plastic is a further issue. Nearly all of the beluga whales tested for it have it.”
In a groundbreaking investigation, it was discovered that every single one of the seven belugas from Canada’s isolated Arctic seas had microplastics inside of them. The two make it to Klettsvik Bay safely, where they spent some time in a bayside care pool before being allowed out into the larger refuge.
The first beluga refuge in open water exists in Klettsvik Bay. According to Audrey Padgett, general manager of the Beluga Whale Sanctuary. It’s been quite the voyage for these two.
Although difficult, it has undoubtedly been a labor of love.
,,The new habitat of the belugas is a much bigger, natural setting.” according to Padgett, ,,with a lot of potential advantages. More than 300 belugas are kept in captivity globally. Some belugas are in crowded and inadequate settings.” And if the lessons we can draw from Little White and Little Grey will help other creatures have happier lives, then that is truly the objective.
With each beluga weighing well under a ton (2,000 pounds) and with an average daily fish consumption of about 110 pounds, this was undoubtedly no simple undertaking.
,,You want your cat or dog to have a positive connection with travel if you’re attempting to take them somewhere.” says the owner. ,,The belugas needed to be as comfortable as we could make them.”
,,Here in Iceland, we’re already rather far from civilization. It had an impact on our capacity to bring in professionals to assist us with the transition. It impacted how quickly we could receive supplies and how long it took to complete tasks, according to Padgett. Because we depend on our personnel to care for our animals, we also needed to quarantine and safeguard them.”
,,Belugas must spend their entire lives in icy waters. For whales unable to return to the Arctic. The cool saltwater and large swimming area provide an excellent option.
,,They will be in good shape if they can successfully adapt to the new environment.” Van Den Hoek said, ,,If we take care of our plastic garbage and our consumption of gas, then we are indirectly taking care of the beluga whale.”
