The two white cetaceans were released in 2020 after spending a lifetime in captivity in a Chinese aquarium, but a series of circumstances forced experts to relocate them to a new area. After careful checks and a period of preparation, they are now ready to dominate the sea
You will probably remember Little Gray and Little White, two splendid specimens of belugas that, after almost a decade spent in an aquarium in China where they were forced to perform in ridiculous shows, were rescued in 2020 by the Sea Life Trust association that deals with of the homonymous sanctuary in Iceland.
Their moving release was followed by many, as well as the troubled journey that brought them from China to Northern Europe, to the whale sanctuary of the Westman Islands or Vestmannaeyjar where, after the regular period of acclimatization to the new habitat, they swam free.
But something went wrong and certainly not the fault of the two belugas as, four months after their release, Little Gray and Little White were moved to an indoor shelter to protect them from the harsh winter, but here they stayed longer than expected since in the bay of Klettsvik in the archipelago, unforeseen construction works have begun. Covid has certainly not made things easier, on the contrary, making them even more complex.
Little White and Little Grey continue to prepare for their return to the sea sanctuary, including move preparation for the transport. Here you can see Little Grey swimming into the pool with lifting floor to get positive reinforcement (fish) so that she builds confidence in the space. This will help ensure a safe, comfortable move back to the bay.
Posted by SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary on Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Sea Life Trust therefore requested a gigantic structure of 50 meters placed on the remote Icelandic island of Heimaey to facilitate the transfer of Little Gray and Little White to the open sea. In this floating habitat, the two belugas are regularly checked by the experts of the institution who take care of them and have also set up a passage that allows the belugas to explore the entire seabed.
We're pleased to announce that the intermediate habitat structure has arrived in Vestmannaeyjar, where the team is hard at work preparing it for installation in Klettsvik bay. The journey took 16 hours at a speed of 3 nautical miles per hour and required calm seas of less than 1.5 metres. This is the last phase before Little Grey and Little White move into their new habitat and live in their natural surroundings.
Posted by SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary on Thursday, April 21, 2022
This is the last step before theirs second release which will take place shortly.
Little Gray and Little White would now be 15 years old, weigh 1100 and 1200 kg and have two very different characters.
Little Gray is extremely curious and vocal. She was the first to swim to explore the wider area of the marine sanctuary, she is very interested in everything new and often wants to be the center of attention. Little White has a cautious and reserved demeanor as long as she doesn't know her surroundings or close people, she tends to emulate Little Star, but she is very patient "
write the volunteers of the Sea Life Trust.
Both have shared the same fate, having been captured in Russia and sold to China, but fate has given them another splendid opportunity that redeems them from the slavery they experienced on their skin.
Fonte: Sea Life Trust/Facebook
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