A beluga whale (Image courtesy of Lotte World)
SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – With their distinctive white skin, prominent melons, and upturned mouths that give the appearance of a perpetual smile, beluga whales have captured hearts worldwide.
These charismatic marine mammals, known for their sociable nature, are estimated to number around 136,000 in the wild, primarily inhabiting Arctic waters.
While capable of traveling up to 6,000 kilometers from their central habitats, reaching as far as the Sea of Okhotsk, belugas swim at a relatively leisurely pace of 3-9 km/h, with bursts up to 22 km/h.
In South Korea, five belugas currently reside in captivity: one each at Seoul’s Lotte World Aquarium and Yeosu’s Aqua Planet, and three at Geoje Sea World in South Gyeongsang Province. However, this number represents a decrease from the original nine.
The story of Bella, a beluga at Lotte World Aquarium, has become a focal point for animal rights activists and conservationists.
Born in 2012 in the Russian Arctic, Bella was brought to South Korea in 2013 and has been on display since 2014.
Following the deaths of two companion belugas in 2016 and 2019, reportedly due to sepsis exacerbated by stress-induced conditions, Lotte World announced plans in October 2019 to release Bella back into the wild.
A beluga whale (Image courtesy of Geoje Sea World)
Five years later, that promise remains unfulfilled. Former Lotte World Aquarium director Koh Jeong-rak testified at a National Assembly audit last year that discussions were ongoing with overseas partners to facilitate Bella’s release by 2026.
The delay in Bella’s release stems from challenges in finding a suitable whale sanctuary. Initial plans to send Bella to a sanctuary in Iceland were postponed due to capacity issues, as the facility already houses two belugas relocated from Shanghai in 2019.
Lotte World officials state they are actively exploring alternatives, including sanctuaries in Norway and Canada. “We’ve sent a letter of intent to a Norwegian whale sanctuary, contingent on confirming their facilities and human resources,” a Lotte World representative explained.
Critics argue that Bella’s current living conditions — a 7.5-meter deep tank — are woefully inadequate for a species known to dive up to 500 meters in the wild. Animal protection groups describe it as “more of a coffin than an aquarium.”
However, Lotte World maintains that their facilities meet South Korean government guidelines for whale habitats, which stipulate a minimum tank length of 7.32 meters and a depth of 1.8 meters.
The debate surrounding Bella’s situation highlights the broader ethical questions about keeping highly intelligent marine mammals in captivity.
Belugas, known for their cognitive abilities and use of echolocation, can suffer from conditions similar to tinnitus and depression when confined to tanks where their sonar constantly bounces off walls.
As discussions continue about Bella’s future, the case underscores the complex challenges involved in transitioning captive marine mammals back to the wild. It also reflects growing global awareness about the welfare of these animals and the responsibilities of institutions that house them.
While concerns persist about the risks associated with transporting Bella over long distances and her ability to readapt to the wild after a decade in captivity, advocates argue that such transitions, while challenging, are not impossible.
“Although transportation carries risks, the expertise and techniques for such transfers certainly exist,” stated Jo Yak-gol, co-founder of Hot Pink Dolphins, an animal rights organization.
“Our research indicates that about 100 belugas are transported from Russia to various countries annually.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
