Beluga sanctuary update

Update: 1st July 2020

We have been working to relocate belugas, Little Grey and Little White from their landside care facilities to their sea sanctuary care pools at Klettsvik Bay this week – which we had planned for Friday. However, our vets have confirmed that both Little Grey and Little White have a very mild bacterial stomach infection.

This was discovered as part of their planned final health assessments ahead of the move and verified yesterday.

The positive news is that the infection is very mild and treatable, but unfortunately it will mean there will be a few weeks delay before they are able to take part in their relocation to the bay whilst Little Grey and Little White finish their treatment.

Little Grey and Little White continue to feed well and are behaving and interacting as usual with their expert care team.

Whilst this in incredibly disappointing for the expert care team in Iceland and our wider supporting team, who have worked tirelessly in preparation for the move and had everything ready for this week, we ultimately have to always do what is right for Little Grey and Little White. Their health and wellbeing continue to be our top priority and therefore we will always do what is right for them.

This first step is the ‘logistical stage’ of the two-stage process that will see the belugas released into the main sanctuary in the bay. Once they have been moved to the sea sanctuary care area, Little Grey and Little White will need a short period to acclimatise to their new natural environment and all the outdoor elements.

We want to thank everyone for your continued support and understanding and look out for a further update on in the next few weeks.

As well as helping to establish the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland with The SEA LIFE Trust , WDC is also working in partnership with other sanctuary projects. It is hoped these initiatives will help to encourage the rehabilitation of more captive whales and dolphins into natural environments around the world, and one day help to bring an end to whale and dolphin entertainment shows.

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