Three working groups established by a scientific council carried out a comprehensive examination of white whales in Srednyaya Bay, Primorye Territory, assessing their health, living conditions and the environment in the bay.

During their examination, the scientists found that one white whale had frostbite and another a wound. A third whale had a broken tooth, but experts believe it had happened before the animal got into the bay.

The expert commission is comprised of representatives of the National Scientific Centre for Marine Biology of the Far Eastern branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Pacific Geographical Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the National Fishery and Oceanography Research Institute and Far Eastern Federal University, as well as veterinarians, trainers and instructors of the Moskvarium Centre of Oceanography and Marine Biology and the Primorye Oceanarium.

“Most of the animals are in satisfactory condition, and their health is not endangered. The council members only have concerns about two white whales: one has traces of frostbite on its back and the other a wound on the back edge of the left fin. Individual treatment plans and recommendations were developed for them,” the statement of the National Fishery and Oceanography Research Institute reads.

All test samples were sent to independent labs as well as the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Once the experts receive the results, the final council meeting will be held to decide the future of each animal considering their condition.

Until then, the open air pens where the whales live will be expanded and several of them will be moved to separate pens.