Investigators have claimed dozens of whales held captive in Russia will be released.
The marine animals were first spotted in November, when drone footage captured the cramped ‘whale jail’ off Srednyaya Bay in Russia’s Far East.
Around 11 orcas and 90 beluga whales are being held in the small enclosure after being caught by four Russian firms. According to independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, as per The Telegraph, it is the largest number of sea creatures to ever be held in the small area.
Some of the animals have been there since July, and while they may be captured for scientific and educational work, activists fear the whales will be sold to water parks and aquariums abroad, which is illegal.
Authorities opened an investigation into the whale jail, but so far the animals have remained in the tiny cells as officials determine whether they were caught illegally.
The freezing winter conditions have made life even more difficult for the poor creatures as ice creeps into their enclosures, meaning a team has to work to remove it to ensure the captives can still breathe.
According to National Geographic, Dmitry Lisitsyn, head of Sakhalin Environment Watch, was brought in to assess the animals’ health. The expert said the whales seem to be suffering tremendously and are in great distress.
Dmitry explained 15 of the belugas are babies, who likely hadn’t yet been weaned off their mothers’ milk when they were caught and confined.
He added that while the belugas are ‘used to living in ice’, ‘they’re not used to being held in a 12-by-10-meter [space] with men crashing shovels over their heads’.
Orcas, on the other hand, typically migrate south during the winter. Dmitry spotted skin lesions on some of the captive animals, which could be a result of frostbite.
On February 1, three Non-Governmental Organisations filed a lawsuit against three government agencies, alleging that under Russian law they’re obligated to confiscate illegally sourced wild animals and release them back into their natural habitats.
Lisitsyn said:
The state is the rightful owner of the animals and must seize these animals and let them back into the wild.
Thankfully, on February 7 Russian investigators released a statement announcing moves would be made to release the whales, explaining (translated):
Investigators will promptly take comprehensive measures to return all marine mammals to their natural habitat.
Hopefully it won’t be long before the inhabitants of the whale jail get their freedom, however whether there are further consequences as a result of the ordeal remains to be seen.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.