Little White and Little Gray had their first taste of freedom and their story motivates other organizations to free animals kept in captivity.

The coronavirus pandemic is driving us crazy. We were forced to stay home for months. It was awful. We couldn’t go out and hang out with our friends. We weren’t allowed to see our family who lives far away. Well, now imagine being forced to live like that for the rest of your life. Congratulation, now you know how animals in captivity feel like.

Two beluga whales were living in captivity and they are now able to swim in their natural habitat. Their smile says it all. Priceless!

Little Grey and Little White have found a new home in Klettsvik Bay, Iceland on Friday, Aug. 7.

The whales were caught in 2011. They spent time in a research center in Russia and were then moved to the Changfeng Ocean World aquarium in Shanghai. Visitors watched them perform acts and crowds enjoyed it.

In 2012, Merlin Entertainments bought the Shanghai aquarium. The European attraction operator planned to rescue the whales and they joined forces with SEA LIFE Trust.

It was definitely a long journey, but the cute whales were accompanied by experts and vets the whole time. The 12-hour trip from China to Iceland was the only way to save the animals. They lived in a landslide care facility until this summer.

Little Grey and Little White were carried with designed slings equipped with custom foam matting. Their saviors used a truck and the harbor’s tugboat to transport the beauties. Each whale was transported within a while.

Today, the beluga whales stay in a bayside care pool at SEA Life Trust’s Beluga Whale Sanctuary. It may take some time for them to adjust to the environment. But, this period is important as it helps the whales get used to the new way of living.

They can’t just swim in deep-sea waters. Experts at the sanctuary explain that the whales are healthy and well-fed.

The Beluga Whale Sanctuary shared a video on Twitter. We can see the animals enjoy their new home. Freedom tastes good, right?

Health update!

Little White and Little Grey have now finished their treatment for the mild infection they had in their stomachs. Both of them are doing well and preparing for their move 👏 pic.twitter.com/hv5ywB3n3Z

— Beluga Whale Sanctuary (@BelugaSanctuary) July 24, 2020

“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 Andy Bool, Head of SEA LIFE Trust.

Sadly, about 300 belugas are waiting for a second chance. They live in captivity in many parts across the globe. Hopefully, organizations will have the support and assets they need to free the whales. It may be a long battle, but the smile of these beauties is sure worth every effort.

Beluga whales should not thrive in captivity. Imagine swimming in the same circle for years!

Source: www.theguardian.com