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The Big Whale Free‑Fall: Shanghai Belugas Land in Icelandic Paradise
- Little White & Little Grey – beluga babes, 12 years old, 900 kg each, about 4 m long.
- Originated from the Novo‑Arctic: born circa 2000–2001, rescued by Shanghai’s Changfeng Ocean World.
- Transported via custom “beluga‑bunks,” then a road‑and‑sea journey to Heimaey’s Klettsvik Bay.
Imagine your grandparent’s laugh‑line moments, but now with whales. Two suntanned belugas, previously entertaining eager tourists at a Shanghai aquarium, are finally heading toward a more natural habitat. The journey? A truck, a ferry, and a hefty dose of international cooperation.
Why Iceland? The Belugas’ Arctic Dream
The Sea Life Trust has dubbed Klettsvik Bay the world’s first open‑water beluga sanctuary. “It’s a sub‑Arctic oasis where these whales can experience real ocean vibes,” the group exclaimed.
Despite this wild getaway, conservationists are keeping the belugas in a 32‑000‑m² net‑pen – the big one. The 10‑metre deep enclosure ensures they don’t go off the rails if they’re not quite ready to surf free every day.
Still Not a ‘Free‑Wild’ Situation?
Even in full immersion, Little White & Little Grey will get a tourist twist. A visitor centre is being built, and guests can hop aboard a boat for a wave‑by‑wave experience. “We’re still view‑ready,” said Andy Bool, head honcho at Sea Life Trust.
- Fans will get a close encounter but with a safety net.
- Staff keeps a close eye, ensuring the whales stay healthy during the change.
Merlin Entertainments and the Big Whale Roll‑out
Merlin Entertainments, a British conglomerate known for Legoland and Sea Life aquariums, has been running the Shanghai facility since 2012. They’re now busy sorting out their beluga empire, promising these two’ll fly to the North Sea angle without breaking a sweat.
Much of the shift stemmed from a “big spill of practice rights” with the whales. They’ve trained to hold breath longer, flex their muscles for currents, and even grow blubber for the chill. This typical beluga lifetime is 40‑60 years – they’re still going strong.
More Belugas in the Future?
Cathy Williamson of Whale & Dolphin Conservation showed optimism: “Once these two settle, we’ll consider adding at least eight more belugas.” And why not? More whales, more joy, more brush‑talk with tourists in a green, Icelandic sea.
Will It Become a Worldwide Model?
Researchers hope this project becomes a blueprint. “It’s a case study for sanctuaries worldwide,” said Williamson. If successful, the next few years might see belugas raising a tin‑tinale from coast to coast.
