International outcry over Russian 'whale jail' in far east

Source: BBC

International outcry over Russian 'whale jail' in far east

4 April 2019

International pressure is growing for the Russian government to release nearly 100 juvenile whales which have been kept in small pens in the far east for seven months.

French marine scientist Jean-Michel Cousteau and other experts are meeting government officials in Moscow. They plan to visit the so-called "whale jail" near Nakhodka on Saturday.

There are 11 killer whales (orcas) and 87 belugas in pens at Srednyaya Bay.

A criminal investigation is under way.

While they were in captivity last year, three belugas and one orca disappeared. Greenpeace Russia believes they died, as many of the whales are known to be in poor health.

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The whales were caught last year in the Sea of Okhotsk. Greenpeace says the orcas and many of the belugas were probably destined to be sold to marine parks in China, where such tourist attractions are booming.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47812001


The belugas are in cramped pens which are taking a toll on their health (Getty Images)


A keeper examines one of the orcas at Srednyaya Bay (Getty Images)


There is ice in the pens and the whales are struggling to stay warm (AFP)