Iceland is home to the world’s first open-water sanctuary for beluga whales in a groundbreaking global marine welfare project.
In a mammoth operation that has been six years in the making, conservation charity Sea Life Trust is in the final stages of transferring two 12-year-old female beluga whales, named Little White and Little Grey, from captivity in Changfeng Ocean World, Shanghai to an open-water refuge in Iceland’s Westman Islands. The whales arrived in a sea sanctuary care area in Iceland on August 7 and are acclimatizing to their new natural environment before their final release into the wider sanctuary off the south coast of the country.
“We’re absolutely delighted to share the news that Little Grey and Little White are safely in their sea sanctuary care pools and are just one step away from being released into their open water home,” said Andy Bool, head of Sea Life Trust. “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. We are carefully monitoring Little Grey and Little White with our expert care team and veterinarians and hope to announce their final release very soon.”
Little White and Little Grey traveled by land, sea, and even air with airline carrier Cargolux transporting the whales on a specially branded Boeing 747-400ERF freighter. The whales were accompanied by around-the-clock care during their journey to their new home. “This is a world-first marine welfare project,” a Sea Life Trust spokesperson told GoTravelDaily. “The whales’ health and wellbeing is a project priority.”
This marks the first time the beluga whales have been in the sea since their transfer from a whale research center in 2011. Consequently, they will be assessed 24/7 as they adjust to their new ocean environment. Thankfully, the team has reported that they are healthy and feeding well.
Sea Life Trust collaborates with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) to rehabilitate captive cetaceans, which include whales and dolphins. According to Sea Life Trust, the Beluga Whale Sanctuary represents one of the most significant advancements in captive whale and dolphin care and protection in decades, being the first of its kind created specifically for cetaceans.
The sanctuary located on the island of Heimaey, one of the Westman Islands, is situated on Klettsvik Bay – a substantial natural sea inlet where Little White and Little Grey can enjoy an enriched quality of life closer to their natural Arctic habitat.
The Beluga Whale Sanctuary also features a puffin hospital where puffin chicks are monitored and studied. Furthermore, there is a visitor and education center open to the public for an entrance fee. Visitors will soon have the opportunity to venture out to the bay on limited boat trips, ensuring minimal disturbance to the whales, allowing them to glimpse Little Grey and Little White in their new habitat.
