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Whale Aid Russia Begins Stage Two

Posted May 17, 2019 in News by Whale Sanctuary Project

With the help of so many of you who are supporting our Whale Aid Russia campaign, 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.

This first stage of this work included:

  • engaging with the Russian government in Moscow and in Vladivostok (close to where the orcas and belugas are being held);
  • bringing a team of experts from around the world to assess the condition of the whales;
  • and making recommendations to the government for the return of these animals to the open ocean.

Following our report, the government concluded that the whales should not be sold to marine entertainment parks but should be returned to the ocean.

So far so good! And we have now moved to the next stage: How the rehabilitation and release of the whales will be implemented.

Once again, there are significant challenges to be met. They involve the business interests of the companies that captured the whales, the political interests of various government departments, the major funding that will be required and, most important, the interests of the whales themselves.

Earlier this week, Russian authorities announced a new plan that called for the 10 orcas to be released directly into the open ocean adjacent to their sea pens, and for this to be completed by late May/early June.

We do not support this plan and have made it clear that we could not participate in it. Yesterday, we issued a press release in which we listed the many reasons why opening the gates of the sea pens and simply letting the orcas out would be a grave mistake. Just for starters, they all need complete health assessments. Many of them need to be treated for obvious conditions like skin fungal and bacterial infections. And we want to be sure they’re not going to introduce any pathogens to other ocean wildlife.

Also, unless they’re taught the basics of how to catch their own food, they will continue to look to humans – local boaters, fishermen, etc. – for their next meal, which would not be a good situation.

And so, because of these and many other factors, we have called on the government to adopt the comprehensive plan that we presented last month after the Jean-Michel Cousteau/Whale Sanctuary Project team returned from our visit to the sea pens where the whales are being kept.

We have also emphasized that our team remains committed to providing expertise and assistance to facilitate a responsible rehab and release program, and to help mobilize the necessary international resources to implement it. (You can read the statement here.)

Donate now to help the whales

Your support of the Whale Aid Russia campaign has brought us to this next, critical stage. We greatly appreciate it, and we’ll keep you updated on how this next stage of the rehab and release program is developing.

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1 Comment

  • Alexandra Liott says:
    May 21, 2019 at 3:49 PM

    I loved your article! Keep up the good work protecting this species. They are a beautiful creature to watch in the wild, not in captivity!

    Reply

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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 – the whole story
The story to date, told in words, photos and video, updated regularly.

Individual posts starting with most recent:

The Whale Jail Is No More
The last group of beluga whales have been returned to the ocean. The notorious sea pens that housed 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales are now closed.

All 10 Orcas from the Whale Jail Have Now Been Returned to the Ocean
This is exceptional progress, and while the releases have not all gone perfectly, the process overall has been successful.

Third Group of Orcas Released from Whale Jail
Transport of the third group of orcas from the “whale jail” back to the ocean has now begun.

Release of First Orcas and Belugas from Whale Jail Raises 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.

Jean-Michel Cousteau and Whale Sanctuary Project Team on Returning Whales to Ocean
A release of this scale – 10 orcas and 87 belugas – has never been done before. Words of encouragement … and caution.

Russia Begins Transport of Whales for Return to the Ocean
The government also announced a ban on capturing whales for use as entertainment.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Asks Putin to Make Final Decision
Requests that the President order the release of all orcas and belugas in the areas where they were captured.

Russian Ministry Presses for Summer Release of Captive Whales
Plans are now moving ahead to return the captive orcas and beluga whales to the ocean.

Whale Aid Russia Begins Stage Two
We have now moved to the next stage: How the rehabilitation and release of the whales will be implemented.

Plan to Immediately Release Orcas in Srednyaya Bay Should Not Be Adopted
Press release: We do not support a plan calling for release, within a month, of the 10 orcas into the ocean adjacent to their sea pens.

Recommendations for Release of Orcas and Belugas from Srednyaya Bay
Press release highlighting observations and recommendations from our Jean-Michel Cousteau/Whale Sanctuary Project team.

Russian Consilium Mirrors Assessment of Whale Sanctuary Team
“The general recommendation of the scientists now is that the whales should be released around the same location where they were captured.”

Our Report to the Russian Government
Executive summary of our assessment and recommendations.

From the Sea of Okhotsk
The story of two belugas who were captured in Russian waters and shipped to Marineland Canada.

Governor Signs Agreement to Free Captive Whales
Working together toward rehab and return to the ocean, rather than letting them be sold to entertainment facilities in China.

Russia Invites Whale Sanctuary Project to Visit Whale Jail
An overview of the orcas and beluga whales suffering in sea pens at the “whale jail.”

Video of Press Conference in Moscow:
Charles Vinick and Jean-Michel Cousteau describe some of what will be involved in rehab and return of the whales.

Russia Issues Formal Invitation to Visit Whale Jail
Our team of experts, led by Jean-Michel Cousteau, will be traveling to the notorious “whale jail” on April 3rd.

Expert Team Prepares to Visit Whale Jail
Whale Sanctuary Project assembles team to assess the orcas and belugas, and to advise the Russian government.

The Whale Jail in Srednyaya Bay
Background and history of the capture, and the condition of the whales today.

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Letter to President Putin
These experts spearheaded the return of the orca Keiko to his home waters in the 1990s.

Letter from 34 Marine Mammal Biologists
A request for an international team of experts to evaluate and treat the whales.

Global Citizens Urge Return of the Whales
Letter from Queen Noor of Jordan, Jane Goodall, Pamela Anderson, and business leaders, actors and musicians.

 

 

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  • Orca Brains and Intelligence
  • “Whales Without Walls” – a short film
  • The Whale Jail Is No More!
  • Site Search Report

The Case Against Keeping Whales and Dolphins Captive

The tide is turning in the West but in Asia the marine entertainment park industry is booming. 

Special report >

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