Whale of a time... belugas enjoy return to open seas
TWO pure white beluga whales taste freedom for the first time in a decade.
Little Grey and Little White put their past as performing animals behind them to swim in the sea off Iceland in a sanctuary developed by British charity the Sea Life Trust.
The two female whales, both aged about 12 years old, were rescued from a Chinese aquarium.
They were flown to the Westman Islands off southern Iceland in August.
Yesterday they swam in the sea for the first time since they were taken from a Russian whale research centre in 2011.
Sea Life Trust, working with Whale and Dolphin Conservation ( WDC), are slowly introducing the whales to their new home.
The 12ft long whales will return to special care pools for health checks before continuing to explore a bay the size of 17 tennis courts.
Andy Bool, head of Sea Life Trust, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled by the progress that Little Grey and Little White have made since moving to their bayside care pools.
“They are feeding and
Old life... Little Grey’s teeth are cleaned and Little White performs before crowds in China. Below, at their new home in Iceland acclimatising well to the more natural surroundings.”
Cathy Williamson, of WDC campaigner, said: “We look forward to welcoming other belugas here and encouraging the development of sanctuaries in other parts of the world.
“We hope this will mean that many of the more than 3,500 whales and dolphins held in captivity for shows can be brought to sanctuaries to live more natural lives or be rehabilitated for a return to the wild.”
The belugas’ story will be told in an ITV documentary with comedian John Bishop next month.