More than a year lived in the eastern part of Russia almost 100 whales in captivity. Now the animals have been released to freedom.
All whales have returned to their natural environment, said the Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Marine Research. Accordingly, the last 31 belugas were released in a bay on the Sea of Japan. Bad weather had delayed the rescue mission again and again.
The orcas and belugas were detained for months in a confined space in a facility on the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok. It's on the border with China. Animal rights activists feared that the animals could be sold to Chinese aquariums. The case caused international criticism. Celebrities such as the actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Pamela Anderson joined the protest.
Originally, the animals should be free until October
The first whales were released in mid-June. Transport by road and water took six days, according to the authorities. The whales should be exposed where they were caught. The environmental organization Greenpeace criticized that they were only allowed to track the transport from a distance. Originally, the animals should be free until October - in time for winter.
Vyacheslav Kozlov / Greenpeace / DPA
Orcas and belugas lived in captivity in a bay
Scientists equipped several whales with sensors to track how they navigate the sea. The plant, described by animal rights activists as a "whale prison", also became a case for the judiciary: several companies that rented the much too small pools were fined. In the future, the catch of whales for non-scientific purposes should be banned.
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin personally campaigned for the release of the whales. For a long time it was unclear when and if the animals could return to freedom again.
