Two beluga whales transported from Ukraine to Spain.
Sea mammals were initially moved from Charkiw, a city in northeast Ukraine, to the southern port of Odessa by land. Afterward, they were transported via border to the Moldavian capital Chisinau. From there, they were flown on a chartered plane to Valencia.
This rescue mission, which included professionals from the United States, was deemed "highly perilous and intricate" according to a statement by the Oceanograफиc-Aquarium. Two Ukrainian caretakers will remain in Valencia with the whales for numerous weeks to assist with their acclimation.
"This bold rescue marks a significant achievement for animal protection globally," stated the head of the Valencia regional government, Carlos Mazоn.
With intensified artillery attacks by the Russian military on Charkiw in recent weeks, shells also impacted the region around the aquarium where the two beluga whales resided. Since the commencement of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the Nemo-Delfinarium in Charkiw has evacuated numerous seals, sea lions, and dolphins. The transport of the two beluga whales necessitated comprehensive planning due to their large size.
Read also:
- Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, plans were underway to evacuate a second beluga whale from Odessa, with its destination being Valencia, Spain.
- The Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Kharkiv, Ukraine, typically houses numerous aquatic creatures, including whales, but recent escalations in the conflict forced the evacuation of two beluga whales.
- The city of Valencia, known for its rich history and beautiful architecture, now has the unique distinction of hosting two beluga whales from Ukraine.
- Whales in captivity are often uprooted due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the evacuation action for the two beluga whales from Ukraine to Spain.
- In the wake of the evacuation of the beluga whales from Ukraine, whispers of a potential relocation of other whales from conflict-affected regions to secured sanctuaries like Valencia began to circulate.
