A group of scientists poised to attach a satellite-tracked transmitter to the white whale Dasha

A Russian-made satellite-tracked transmitter helps scientists research the white whale’s behaviour and migration routes

A group of fishermen kept the white whale in a special fishing net before Vladimir Putin arrived

Everything is ready to attach the transmitter to Dasha

Devices used by scientists to research white whale behaviour and migrations being demonstrated to Vladimir Putin in a field tent

Scientists showing Vladimir Putin the tools for attaching the transmitter to the body of the white whale

After releasing the whale into the ocean, Vladimir Putin goes to the pools where other white whales are kept for study

Vladimir Putin and Vyacheslav Rozhnov, the deputy director at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, going into the water in wet suits

Vladimir Putin approaching a mammal being kept in a fishing net

“The tag is not fastened tightly enough and could harm the animal,” said Vladimir Putin after examining the white whale

“Won’t she eat us?” Vladimir Putin joked

Many hands are needed to attach the transmitter

The transmitter being attached to the white whale Dasha

Vladimir Putin carefully following the specialists’ recommendations

Vladimir Putin attaching the transmitter to Dasha’s back

Vladimir Putin together with fishermen and scientists attaching the transmitter to the white whale

The main concern is not to harm the mammal

Vladimir Putin carefully untangling wires

The transmitter being attached to the white whale Dasha

The operation to attach the transmitter is over

The transmitter being attached to the white whale Dasha

The tag needs to be well secured to the slick body of the mammal

Vladimir Putin in control of the efforts to fasten the transmitter to the whale

Fishermen and Vladimir Putin carrying the fishing net further into the sea to release the white whale back into the wild

After the transmitter has been attached, a veterinary performs an ultrasound scanning and makes certain that everything has been done correctly

Fishermen releasing Dasha into the open sea

“And now let’s slip away fast,” Vladimir Putin says, watching the whale escape from the net

Vladimir Putin and the fishermen bidding farewell to Dasha

The fishermen say that Dasha is not the largest white whale they have seen in their lives, but she is still large enough

Vladimir Putin and fishermen posing for a photo before the prime minister’s departure

Some white whales have never taken food from people before, scientists say

Vladimir Putin decided to feed the white whales

Vladimir Putin visiting the white whales living in the pools

Vladimir Putin picked a large salmon from the bucket and tapped its tail against the water

A white whale swimming in the pool snatched the fish in an instant

Vladimir Putin visiting the white whales living in the pools

“Now you see! Do it softly, really softly and then it will be all right!” Vladimir Putin says

Vladimir Putin ending his visit to the scientists

Vladimir Putin leaving Chkalov Island

Vladimir Putin fixing components in place with precise movements

Working with pliers involves serious effort

Now Dasha’s movements can be tracked by satellite