Beluga Whales Rescued from Ukrainian War Zone and Evacuated to Spain
Two beluga whales, Plombir and Miranda, have been rescued from the NEMO Dolphinarium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, amid ongoing conflict in the region. The rescue operation, described as "high-risk" and "complex," involved international cooperation and several months of preparation. Specialists from the Oceanogràfic de Valencia, Georgia Aquarium, and SeaWorld coordinated the effort to transport the whales from the war-torn city to their new home in Valencia, Spain.
The whales undertook a 12-hour journey by road to the southern port of Odesa, followed by a transfer across the Moldovan border to Chisinau, and finally a flight to Valencia. Upon arrival, the belugas were in delicate health and will be kept in non-public areas at the Oceanografic until they have fully recovered and adapted. The operation has been hailed as a significant milestone in global animal protection by various officials, including Carlos Mazón, president of the Valencia region Generalitat Valenciana. The rescue highlights the collaborative efforts of marine mammal experts and underscores the ongoing challenges faced by animals in conflict zones.
