Dear friends!
Congratulations! TOGETHER we have accomplished something nearly impossible! Thanks to our joint effort, for the first time in the history of whale catching, a sensation happened – the trappers released the captured animals back into the ocean.
Of course, it’s not that smooth. The release was – to put it mildly – sadistic from the point of view of the transportation and adaptation of the animals. But this is not the most important thing rights now. The most important is that the first 8 animals (2 orcas and 6 belugas) have returned HOME, in spite of everything they had been through.
This is the official statement of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO):
“Specialists completed the release of the animals transported to Cape Perovsky. Two orcas and six belugas were released to their natural habitat. Before the release, the veterinarians took all the necessary tests; the health indicators of the animals are good. Also, satellite tags have been attached to the orcas and belugas, that will allow scientists to track their movements and collect behavioral data.
The release took place in favorable weather conditions. According to scientists, the orcas were, as expected, nervous, they stayed close to the shore for several hours and then went into the open waters of the Sakhalin Bay. In the afternoon, the belugas were released. The animals immediately went to the open sea.
Many days of complex work had preceded the release. 1,800 km long journey from Srednyaya Bay to Cape Perovsky by road and water took 6 days. All this time, veterinarians and coaches carried round the clock watch for 4 hours each – two persons with an animal in the water to make sure that it did not choke or got injured.
The next stage of the release will begin after the return of the specialists and the preparation of the animals for transportation.”
I do not declare victory yet, because dozens of animals are still waiting to go back home into the sea. I will keep you updated. I congratulate and thank you all once again!