Animal welfare Two beluga whales brought to Spain from Ukraine
In an elaborate evacuation operation, two beluga whales have been brought to Spain from the embattled Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. The two marine mammals arrived in Valencia on Tuesday evening, the Oceanogràfic aquarium announced on Wednesday.
19.06.2024, 23:31
SDA
The whales, aged 14 and 15, were transported by land from Kharkiv in north-eastern Ukraine to the port of Odessa in the south of the country, according to the Oceanogràfic Aquarium in the Spanish port city. They were then taken across the border to the Moldovan capital Chisinau. From there, they were flown to Valencia on board a chartered plane.
The rescue operation, which also involved experts from the USA, was "very risky and complex" and required multinational cooperation, according to a statement from the Oceanogràfic aquarium. Two Ukrainian keepers will stay with the whales in Valencia for several weeks to help them acclimatize.
Evacuation of seals and dolphins
"This courageous rescue is a historic milestone for animal protection worldwide," said the head of the Valencia regional government, Carlos Mazón.
The Russian army had intensified its artillery attacks on Kharkiv in recent weeks. Shells also struck near the aquarium where the two whales were housed. Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the Nemo Dolphinarium in Kharkiv has already evacuated several seals, sea lions and dolphins. The transportation of the two beluga whales required months of preparation due to their size.
