Two Beluga Whales Are Rescued From Performing As Show Animals In China, And Their Smiles Say It All

Rehoming animals is a tough job that requires a lot of responsibility. But taking two whales to a new continent in the middle of a global pandemic is about as hard as it gets. Nevertheless, it’s done. Two belugas, Little Grey and Little White, are enjoying their first taste of the sea since 2011, thanks to a relocation project that has been years in the making.

"We're already in a pretty remote location here in Iceland. It affected our ability to get experts here to help us with the move. It affected our ability to get supplies and just the length of time it took to do things," Padgett said. "We also needed to protect our staff and put them into quarantine, because we need our people to take care of our animals." Little Grey and Little White's odyssey still isn't over. They are currently in an "acclimatization space" within the sanctuary. Padgett said, however, that they will have freedom over the sanctuary any day now.