After 6,000-mile journey, beluga whales settle well in Iceland care pool

June 26, 2019: The Sea Life Trust has confirmed that the two beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, delivered to Iceland recently by Cargolux Airlines, have reached their final destination, the world’s first open water sanctuary for beluga whales. The Cargolux pilots visited the sanctuary to ensure the whales were doing well.

On June 19, Little Grey and Little White touched down in Iceland safely aboard Luxembourg-based airline Cargolux’s 747-400ERF freighter plane.

The whales travelled a distance of 6,000 miles from China to the international airport of Iceland, Keflavik Airport and then were delivered to their final destination, the world’s first open water sanctuary for beluga whales.

The two belugas were transported in custom-made slings designed to their exact physical requirements, and were then placed in tailored containers.

After their arrival in Iceland, Little Grey and Little White were transferred on board two lorries from Keflavik Airport before catching a ferry to Heimaey – off the south coast of Iceland.

In the latest update on June 25, Sea Life Trust said: "Little Grey and Little White are doing well and have been feeding nicely over the weekend. Our vets and care team are happy with their progress and they are settling in nicely to their temporary care pool home."

“Little Grey and Little White will need to stay in the care pool for a 40 day quarantine period. The timing of their release in to the bay will be based on this, their acclimatisation to the new surroundings and their welfare,” informed the update.