Skip to main content
The Whale Sanctuary Project | Back to Nature
  • About
  • The Sanctuary
  • Whale Aid
  • The Whales
  • Deeper Dive
  • Blog
  • Events

Donate  Subscribe

  • About
  • The Sanctuary
  • Whale Aid
  • The Whales
  • Deeper Dive
  • Blog
  • Events

Global Citizens Urge Release of “Whale Jail” Orcas & Belugas

Posted March 19, 2019 in News by Michael Mountain
Donate now to help the whales

A group of prominent global citizens signed a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin encouraging the government to release 10 orcas and 80+ beluga whales now kept in inadequate sea pens in the “Whale Jail” in Srednyaya Bay, near the east coast city of Nakhodka.

Dr. Jane Goodall

The letter, which was prepared by the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute, is signed by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Dr. Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson, business leaders like Tom Gruber and David Shaw, actors like Pamela Anderson, Mark Ruffalo and Holly Marie Combs, and musicians like Jackson Browne and Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.

Here is the text:


President Vladimir Putin
Russian Federation
23, Ulitsa Ilyinka,
103132, Moscow, Russia

Russian Federation Embassy
2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007

Dear President Putin:

​We are writing to thank you and the Russian government for steps taken to protect 80+ beluga whales and 10 orcas now held in inadequate conditions in Srednyaya Bay, near the east coast city of Nakhodka.

We commend the action you have taken so far to block the export of these amazing beings to dolphinariums in other countries, as whales and dolphins do not cope well with captivity. We further commend you and your government for not approving new capture permits for 2019, and fully support the Russian initiative to implement a permanent ban on capture of Russian orcas and beluga whales. Such an action would prevent the horrible situation playing out in the Far East from happening ever again in the future.

We would like to ask you to take several important steps for the welfare of the remaining whales in the sea pens. We cannot stress enough that the lives of these whales are in danger, and they need immediate help. Please consider expanding their current sea pens in size and/or building additional enclosures to reduce the number of animals per pen and introducing insulation and warming protocols to prevent ice from forming in the enclosures. These steps are critical for the whales’ survival.

We further ask you and the Russian government, in consultation with Russian scientists and Russian non-governmental organizations, to plan to return the orcas and beluga whales to the Sea of Okhotsk and their birth populations when feasible. There are many international scientists and experts as well who have extensive expertise in successfully rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing orcas to the wild, such as Keiko, Springer and many others. International experts will be happy to provide their help to Russian colleagues with rehabilitation and release of the orcas and belugas back into the wild.

This is an important moment for Russia on the world stage.​

The world is waiting for a happy ending in this tragic and unfortunate situation. Thank you again for all that you have done, and please take action to protect these magnificent Russian whales!

Sincerely,

Tom Campbell, Cinematographer, Producer, Director

Susan Casey, Bestselling Author, Voices from the Ocean, Former Editor-in-Chief, O Magazine

Gregory Colbert, Artist, Creator of Ashes and Snow

Holly Marie Combs. Actor

Celine S. Cousteau, Filmmaker, Environmentalist

Jean-Michel Cousteau, Chairman and President, Ocean Futures Society, Member, Ocean Elders

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Director, Blackfish

Beth Davidow, Cinematographer, Filmmaker, Author

Kristin Davis, Actor, Environmentalist

Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Television Presenter, Wildlife Conservationist

Sylvia Earle, PhD, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, Founder, Mission Blue, Member, Ocean Elders

Dr Jane Goodall PhD, DBE, Founder, Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace

Adrian Grenier, Actor, Director, Producer

Tom Gruber, Co-Founder of Siri Inc., Member, Ocean Elders

Graeme Kelleher, Former Chairman and CEO, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Member, Ocean Elders

Yuri Kolokolnikov, Actor

Doutzen Kroes, Model, Actor Environmentalist

Ilya Lagutenko, Musician, Mumiy Troll, Founder of VROX.org Festival

Kate Mara, Actor

Eli Martinez, International TV presenter, Environmentalist, Founder of Shark Diver Magazine

Leilani Münter, Race Car Driver, Environmentalist

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Member, Ocean Elders

Edward Norton Jr., Actor

Hayden Panettiere, Actor

Prof. Bertrand Piccard, Chair, Solar Impulse Foundation, Member, Ocean Elders

Louie Psihoyos, Executive Director, Oceanic Preservation Society, Director, The Cove

Mark Ruffalo, Actor, Environmentalist

David Shaw, Manager, Black Point Group, Member, Ocean Elders

Robert Talbot, Film Maker, Photographer

Anne-Marie van Dijk, International Model

Captain Don Walsh, PhD, USN (Ret), Member, Ocean Elders

Bob Weir, Musician, Member, Ocean Elders

Maisie Williams, Actor, Environmentalist

Ann Wilson, Musician, Heart

Nancy Wilson, Musician, Heart

Olga Zueva, Filmmaker.


 

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Whale Aid Russia

How the Whale Sanctuary Project worked with the Russian government and Russian animal protection groups to return to the ocean 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales who had been captured illegally for sale to marine entertainment parks in China. Whale Aid Russia

This is the story of the biggest whale rescue in history – of the Whale Sanctuary Project’s work with the Russian government and Russian animal protection groups to return to the ocean 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales who had been captured illegally.Read more

The Whale Jail Is No More!

The last group of beluga whales from the “whale jail” in Russia have been returned to the ocean. The notorious sea pens that housed 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales who had been captured for sale to marine parks in China are now closed.Read more

Statement on Russia’s Efforts to Release All Whales from “Whale Jail”

The Whale Sanctuary Project has issued the following statement regarding the continuing efforts to return to the ocean all the beluga whales still housed at the “whale jail” on Russia’s Far East coast.Read more

All 10 Orcas from the Whale Jail Have Now Been Returned to the Ocean

This week marked the completion of the return of the 10 orcas from the “whale jail” in Russia to the Sea of Okhotsk, from where they were captured last year. This is exceptional progress, and so many of you have made this possible through your participation and support of our Whale Aid Russia program.Read more

Third Group of Orcas Released from Whale Jail

Russian authorities have begun the transport and release of a third group of orcas from the “whale jail.” In response to criticism of the lack of transparency, the government has invited Greenpeace Russia to observe much of this third release. And Greenpeace has asked the Whale Sanctuary Project to provide recommendations on how to conduct its mission most effectively. Read more

Release of First Orcas and Belugas from “Whale Jail” Raises Growing Concerns

Serious questions are being raised about the care of the orcas and beluga whales who are being returned to the ocean from the “whale jail” in Russia. What appears to have been missing is the kind of detailed contingency planning that’s key to a successful release.Read more

Jean-Michel Cousteau and Whale Sanctuary Project Team on Returning Whales to Ocean

Russia has begun the process of returning the whales that were illegally captured last year back to the area where they were captured. Jean-Michel Cousteau and The Whale Sanctuary Project urge the Russian government to include international specialists and Russian observers.Read more

Russia Begins Transport of Whales for Return to the Ocean

Russia has begun the process of returning to ocean waters the 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales who were captured last year and have been living in what has become known as the “whale jail” in the country’s Far East. The government also announced a ban on capturing whales for use as entertainment.Read more

Russian Ministry Presses for Summer Release of Captive Whales

Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources & the Environment says plans are now moving ahead to return the captive orcas and beluga whales being held at the “whale jail” in Srednyaya Bay to the ocean.Read more

Whale Aid Russia Begins Stage Two

We have completed the first stage of our work on behalf of the 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales who were captured in Russian waters last July for sale to marine entertainment parks in China. And we have now moved to the next stage: How the rehabilitation and release of the whales will be implemented.Read more

Plan to Immediately Release Orcas in Srednyaya Bay Should Not Be Adopted

The Jean-Michel Cousteau / Whale Sanctuary Project team does not support the new plan, announced by Russian authorities on May 15th, for the 10 orcas being held at the “whale jail” in Russia to be released directly into the open ocean adjacent to their sea pens. The comprehensive rehabilitation and re-adaptation plan for the orcas and belugas offers the best chances for successful re-introduction to life in the wild.Read more

Recommendations for Release of Orcas and Belugas from Srednyaya Bay

The Russian government is currently assessing recommendations for rehab and release of the 97 orcas and beluga whales who were captured last year in Russian waters and are being held in sea pens in Srednyaya Bay. This press release highlights the observations and recommendations of the Jean-Michel Cousteau/Whale Sanctuary Project team.Read more

Russian Consilium Mirrors Assessment of Whale Sanctuary Team

Announcement from Russian institute VNIRO mirrors assessment of Whale Sanctuary Project team that all orcas and belugas in captivity at Srednyaya Bay can be rehabilitated and returned to ocean waters.Read more

Report on Orcas and Belugas Held in Srednyaya Bay

Executive summary of the report to the Russian Government regarding the 10 orcas and 87 belugas being held in sea pens in Srednyaya Bay. Prepared by the Jean-Michel Cousteau/Whale Sanctuary Project Team.Read more

Russian Governor Signs Agreement to Free Captive Whales

The Russian government has affirmed that the 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales being held captive at the “whale jail” in Srednyaya Bay will be returned to the ocean.Read more

Whale Jail: From Global Outcry to International Cooperation

What began as a global outcry has evolved into a work of international cooperation. Yesterday, in Moscow, people of many nationalities gathered at the Ministry of Natural Resources to begin a long-term effort to return 97 illegally-captured orcas and beluga whales to the ocean.Read more

Whale Aid – Russia: News Release

The Whale Sanctuary Project issued the following news release this morning: WHALE AID – RUSSIA! Russia invites Whale Sanctuary Project to visit illegal “whale jail”... View ArticleRead more

Russia Invites Whale Sanctuary Project to Visit Whale Jail

The Russian government has invited the Whale Sanctuary Project to visit the illegal “whale jail” on Russia’s Far East coast, where 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales are confined in appalling conditions, and to help and advise the government on their future.Read more

Russia Issues Formal Invitation to Visit “Whale Jail”

The Whale Sanctuary Project has brought together a team of experts, led by oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, to visit the notorious “whale jail" on Russia’s Far East coast and to advise the government on their health and how they can be returned to the open ocean.Read more

Expert Team Prepares to Visit Notorious “Whale Jail”

The Whale Sanctuary Project is organizing a team of experts from non-profits and other NGO’s to go to Srednyaya Bay in Primorsky Region on the Far East coast of Russia and assess the condition of the 10 orca and 87 beluga whales being held there in the notorious "whale jail."Read more

The Whale Jail in Srednyaya Bay

The Whale Sanctuary Project is organizing a team of experts to go to Russia and assess the condition of 10 orca and 87 beluga whales being held in small pens there. Here is some background.Read more

Jean-Michel Cousteau Pens a Letter to President Putin

The four signatories spearheaded the return of the orca Keiko to his home waters in the 1990s. They offer the Russian government and the Russian scientific community their expertise and help in restoring the orcas and beluga whales, now being held in sea pens in Srednyaya Bay, to their home pods.Read more

34 Marine Mammal Biologists Urge Release of Whales

Donate now to help the whales A group of prominent marine mammal scientists from around the world has written a letter to Russian President Vladimir... View ArticleRead more

Global Citizens Urge Release of “Whale Jail” Orcas & Belugas

A group of prominent global citizens signed a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin encouraging the government to release 10 orcas and 80+ beluga whales now kept in inadequate sea pens in the “Whale Jail” in Srednyaya Bay, near the east coast city of Nakhodka.Read more

Also on the Blog

  • Canada Bans Captivity of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
  • Orca Brains and Intelligence
  • A Deep Dive into Environmental Analysis
  • TEDx Talk “Whales Without Walls” by Charles Vinick
  • Whale Aid Russia

Live Series of Webinars

What is an authentic sanctuary?
Latest discoveries about beluga whale societies
The psychology of captivity.
Free Willy and the legacy of Keiko.
… and many more.

A series of engaging conversations >

Join Us

Subscribe for Latest News

Make a donation

Get email updates

Subscribe

Follow Us

Help create the sanctuary

Make a donation
  • Privacy Policy |
  • Terms and Conditions of Use |
  • Contact Us |
  • UX Design by Dialogue Theory

© 2023 The Whale Sanctuary Project. All Rights Reserved.