Celebrating Freedom: Beluga Whales Little Grey and Little White Find Sanctuary in the Open Sea

In a heartwarming tale of freedom, two female beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, have been released from captivity in China and have embarked on a remarkable journey to a new ocean sanctuary in Klettsvik Bay off the south coast of Iceland. This extraordinary event, made possible by the Sea Life Trust, marks the first time these whales have swum in the open sea since their capture in 2011.

The journey of these two belugas began a decade ago when they were taken from a Russian whale research center and later transferred to a Chinese aquarium, where they performed tricks for fish. However, thanks to the dedication of the Sea Life Trust, Little Grey and Little White were freed from captivity and transported to their new sanctuary, covering a distance of 6,000 miles.

In preparation for their release, the whales were carefully acclimatized in a designated area of the facility. Andy Bool, Head of the Sea Life Trust, expressed his joy, saying, “We’re absolutely delighted to be able 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. 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.”

The Sea Life Trust, in collaboration with Merlin Entertainments, the UK firm that owns Sea Life centers, orchestrated this remarkable feat. The company, which acquired Changfeng Ocean World aquarium in China in 2012, made a substantial donation to the Sea Life Trust to support this operation.

Little Grey, described as playful with a mischievous side, and Little White, who is more reserved but still enjoys play and forms close bonds with her caregivers, are now experiencing the freedom they deserve. Beluga whales typically have a lifespan of 40 to 60 years, and it is heartening to know that Little Grey and Little White will now have the opportunity to live out their lives in the wild where they truly belong.

This heartwarming story serves as a testament to the importance of compassion and conservation efforts in ensuring the well-being of these magnificent creatures, reminding us all of the beauty that lies in setting animals free to live their lives as nature intended.