On June 19th, two female beluga whales, Little White and Little Grey, traveled over 9000 kilometers from Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World and successfully landed at Keflavik Airport of Iceland. Later they were transferred by lorries and ferry to their new home in Westman Islands. Little White and Little Grey were the first citizens in the world's first open-water sanctuary for beluga whales protection.
The beluga whales were warmly received at the airport by Ambassador Jin Zhijian, the project leaders from Sea Life Trust and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the staffs from Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World and more than 20 medias from Iceland, UK, France and other countries.
Ambassador Jin took interviews with RUV, Morgunblaðið of Iceland as well as the UK Press Association. He expressed sincere appreciation to the Sea Life Trust, WDC, Westman Islands government and its citizens, and Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World for their great efforts to find new home in Iceland and escort the two beluga whales from China to Iceland. He pointed out that Little White and Little Grey had won the heart of the Chinese people, and it was really hard for them to say goodbye, but they all wished Little White and Little Grey could start a brand new life in their new home in Iceland. The two beluga whales have become the friendship Ambassadors between China and Iceland, and bridged the two countries closely together. It was believed that there would be more and more Chinese tourists coming to Westman Islands and visiting their old friends.
As reported, the world's first open-water sanctuary for beluga whales protection is located in Klettsvik Bay of Westman Islands. The large bay area measuring 32,000 sqm provides the perfect natural wild habitat with its subarctic water and environment. Little White and Little Grey, after years of performance in Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World, finally return to nature.
