Main image via Daily Mail
Over the years, people all over the world have had mixed feelings about show animals in captivity and now, two beluga whales were recently transported back to the ocean back after nine years!
Two beluga whales called Little Grey and Little White have been freed from captivity and were transported from Ocean World, Shanghai to a new open-water refuge.
They were previously placed in a Russian research centre before being taken in 2011 as show animals for years where they performed tricks in exchange for fish.
Little Grey and Little White looked joyful as they were being rescued by UK-based charity Sea Life Trust and shipped to Iceland where they can swim in the open sea for the first time in years!
"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,” said Sea Life Trust head, Andy Bool.
"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 two female beluga whales were shipped in a lorry, then took a cargo flight to a refuge in Klettsvik Bay in Iceland, and after their time here, they'll be finally released into the massive open water sanctuary!
Little Grey was described by the The Sea Life Trust as “very playful” and “mischievous” because she liked to spit water at her care team and Little White “much more reserved but still likes to play and forms close bonds with her carers”.
We hope they can feel free and are happy swimming back in the open water sanctuary! Have you seen a beluga whale as show animals before? Let us know!
Info via Daily Mail
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