Captive Beluga Whales Named Little White & Little Grey Have Been Rescued From A Russian Research Center & Released To An Open Water Sanctuary In Iceland

SEA LIFE Trust is delighted to confirm that after years of captivity, two beluga whales, named Little Grey and Little White, were saved and returned to the sea at the world’s first open water sanctuary in Iceland for belugas called Klettsvik Bay on August 8th. 

Little Grey and Little White are now in their bayside care pool and will need a short period of time to acclimate to their new natural environment and outdoor elements before their final release into the wider sanctuary in Klettsvik Bay in the Westman Islands off the south coast of Iceland.

The expert team and the independent vets were with Little Grey and Little White throughout the move and said they are healthy and feeding after the short trip from their landside care facility back to the sea.

This is the first time Little Grey and Little White have been in the sea since they were taken from a Russian whale research center in 2011. Little Grey and Little White will now be assessed around the clock as they get used to being back in their ocean environment.

“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 wider open water home,” said Andy Bool, Head of SEA LIFE Trust in a statement. “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. We are carefully monitoring Little Grey and Little White with our expert care team and veterinarians and hope to announce their final release very soon.”

The SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary was built with the support of a generous donation from Merlin Entertainments and created in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). It is one of the biggest developments in whale and dolphin care and protection in decades, and the first of its kind to be created for cetaceans.

For more information about the SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary or to make a donation, CLICK HERE!