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

The Whale Jail in Srednyaya Bay

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

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. (See our earlier post.) Here is some background.


Video from National Geographic, with comments from Jeff Foster of the Whale Sanctuary Project.

Last November, reports began to emerge that more than 100 orcas and beluga whales had been captured and were being held in small, crowded pens in Srednyaya Bay on Russia’s far east coast.

Local media were calling the facility a “whale jail,” and the term quickly went viral.

As winter set in and temperatures began to plummet, especially during the long nights, ice covered the bay, and it was a challenge simply to keep the sea pens free of ice so the whales could breathe, let alone get the exercise they would need to be able to keep warm. Having conducted the successful return of a captive orca to his home waters, we would like to offer the Russian government and the Russian scientific community our expertise and help in restoring the current captive orcas and beluga whales, now being held in series of sea pens in Srednyaya Bay, near the east coast city of Nakhodka, to their home pods.

Donate now to help the whales

According to the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, some of the animals had been at the facility since July and were owned by four companies – Bely Kit, Afalina, Oceanarium DV, and Sochi Dolphinarium – that had worked together between 2013 and 2016 to ship 13 orcas to China, where a single orca can fetch more than $6 million.

While Russian law allows for whales to be held for scientific and educational purposes, the whales in Srednyaya Bay were clearly destined for neighboring China, where there are already at least 76 dolphinariums and marine parks, and at least 25 more planned for construction over the next few years. Approximately 954 cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), of at least 12 species, are currently displayed in China. Most of them were captured from the wild and imported, primarily from Japan and Russia.

There were also reports of what appeared to be a whale being lifted out of a tank by a crane near the Chinese border, of a scam by which whales were being “loaned” rather than sold to evade environmental laws, and of a photographer having her camera’s memory card taken when she tried to investigate.


Video from Pravda describing the condition of the whales.

In December, after three of the belugas had disappeared and were widely assumed to have died, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asked the new Governor of the Primorsky Region, Oleg Kozhemyako, to address the problem. Soon after, the Prosecutor General’s Office began an investigation into “the illicit extraction of aquatic biological resources” and into criminal “cruelty to animals.”

In January of this year, a group of Russian scientists and government officials visited the whale jail, where they collected skin and breath samples and water samples from the pens. They also made recordings of vocalizations and took photos and video footage.

Mark Palmer of the International Marine Mammal Project wrote that the scientists had expressed “a great deal of concern … for one of the orcas that appeared lethargic and was logging at the surface. Many of the orcas showed skin damage, presumably from frostbite and contact with the sharp ice that forms in the sea pens, despite the efforts of the staff of the sea pens to keep the pens clear of ice … The team also noted that the facility had no means of dealing with sanitary conditions, as the sea pens are exposed to bay water and lacked any barriers or means of disinfecting in case of disease or pollution.”

 
Tatiana Denisenko and Dmitry Lisitsyn

Among the scientists who visited the whales were Dmitry Lisitsyn, head of the Russian NGO Sakhalin Environment Watch, and veterinarian Tatyana Denisenko, a professor at the Moscow-based Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology. Lisitsyn told National Geographic that the belugas all appeared to be in distress and that 15 of them were babies who had probably not yet been weaned from their mothers’ milk when they had been captured. He added that workers at the sea pens had to keep breaking up ice so the animals could surface in order to breathe and stay alive.

Belugas are “used to living in ice,” he said. “But they’re not used to being held in a 12-by-10-meter [space] with men crashing shovels over their heads.”

Donate now to help the whales

As for the orcas, Lisitsyn said their condition was even worse than that of the belugas since they typically migrate south to warmer water during the winter. His video footage showed skin lesions on and around their dorsal fins, which, he said, could be frostbite from exposure to prolonged cold, or a fungal or bacterial infection stemming from the stagnant water, or both.

After examining skin samples from the orcas, veterinarian Denisenko said, “The skin of most of the 11 killer whales is thickly seeded with various microorganisms.” She concluded from this that their skin infection was likely the result of rotting food being left in the pens.

Denisenko, Lisitsyn and others said they were particularly concerned about one young orca named Kirill, who had been acting very lethargically and exhibited extensive skin lesions. Lisitsyn said he feared Kirill might already be dead.

Within a few weeks of the scientists’ visit, one of the orcas was no longer to be seen in any of the sea pens. The whales’ captors claimed that he/she had escaped, an explanation that was generally considered absurd.


In Moscow, members of Greenpeace Russia protest the capture of the whales.

Despite the poor condition of the whales, scientists who reviewed the reports and video footage concluded that after receiving the urgent care they obviously need, they could still be returned to the ocean. Time, however, would be of the essence in conducting a successful return of the whales to their home waters.


Vladimir Putin with Leonardo DiCaprio at the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, protests were growing in animal protection circles around the world. By early March, a petition on Change.org that was being promoted by celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio and Pamela Anderson had garnered more than a million signatures. (Russia’s President Vladimir Putin considers DiCaprio a friend, having welcomed him to Russia in 2010 to speak at his Save the Tiger Summit.)

And a letter to President Putin from explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, Charles Vinick of the Whale Sanctuary Project, David Phillips of Earth Island Institute, and Roger Payne of Ocean Alliance had prompted an invitation from the Governor of Primorsky Region for Cousteau to come to the region.

Cousteau had already worked with Vinick on many projects on behalf of marine life, with Vinick serving for more than 25 years as Vice President of Ocean Futures Society and the Cousteau Society. So, they began to organize a team of experts from the Whale Sanctuary Project and from other non-profits and NGO’s. The team would travel to Srednyaya Bay where they could assess the condition of the whales, advise the Governor on a plan to rehabilitate them, and assist in preparing the whales for return to suitable open ocean waters.

Right now, the team is prepared to travel to Srednyaya Bay as soon as approval is given by the federal government. Details for the visit are in our post from earlier this week.

Next: Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Letter to President Putin

 

 

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.