KHARKIV, Ukraine (WJW) – Two beluga whales are settling into their new home after being rescued from their aquarium in war-torn Ukraine.
According to a press release, bombs are falling within a few hundred meters of the NEMO Dolphinarium in Ukraine.
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An international team of marine mammal specialists worked together to get the whales out of the country. After months of planning and preparation, the belugas arrived in Valencia, Spain, late Tuesday evening.
Meet 15-year-old Plombir and 14-year-old Miranda.
Their evacuation included a dangerous twelve-hour drive through Ukraine.
Once they crossed the border into Moldova, a small charter plane flew the whales and their caretakers to Spain.
“This courageous rescue represents a historic milestone in animal protection worldwide,” said Carlos Mazón, President of the Valencia Region, Generalitat Valenciana. “It is an honor that the Oceanogràfic saved these two belugas from the horrors of war in Ukraine. They have been through a difficult situation in recent months and Oceanogràfic’s experts will work intensively to help them recover.”
The Dolphinarium where the belugas lived in Ukraine has been working to evacuate its marine animals since the start of the war in 2022.
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Relocating the belugas posed a greater challenge due to their size and specific needs.
Experts from the Georgia Aquarium and SeaWorld assisted in the rescue.
The belugas have a specialist team in their new home to ensure they are healthy, but also to help with recovery from trauma.
Two Ukrainian caregivers are staying with them for a few weeks to help with their transition.
Oceanogràfic says that Plombir and Miranda will not be in public tanks with the other beluga whales for the foreseeable future.
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