Rescued Beluga Whales from War-Torn Ukraine Find Safe Haven in Spain

Photo : AFP

Madrid: Amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, marine biologists undertook a daring international rescue mission, transporting two beluga whales from the war-torn city of Kharkiv to Valencia's Oceanografic in Spain. The journey, fraught with risks, began with a 12-hour road trip to Odesa, where the whales, 15-year-old male Plombir and 14-year-old female Miranda, were met by a team of veterinarians from the Oceanografic, Georgia Aquarium, and SeaWorld.

From Odesa, the belugas traveled to Chisinau, Moldova, with support from the European Union's Anti-Fraud Office, before embarking on a five-hour flight to Valencia. Despite concerns over their health due to the stressful conditions endured during transport, the whales arrived in better condition than anticipated.

According to Daniel Garcia-Parraga, director of zoological operations at Oceanografic, the whales' initial health concerns did not hinder their adaptation process upon arrival. Plombir showed an unusual eagerness to eat shortly after arrival, while Miranda was adjusting gradually.

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The rescue operation, hailed as a global achievement in animal protection by Valencia's regional leader Carlos Mazon, was crucial as Kharkiv's NEMO dolphinarium, where the belugas were previously housed, faced constant shelling, causing significant stress to the marine mammals known for their sensitivity to sound.

Beluga whales, native to Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, are noted for their distinctive white appearance and can grow up to 5.5 meters in length, weighing as much as 1.6 tons. Oceanografic, Europe's largest aquarium and the only one housing belugas, now provides a secure environment where Plombir and Miranda are gradually acclimatizing to their new home.

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