According to the Russian Fishery and Oceanography Research Institute, the six belugas and two orcas from Srednyaya Bay in the Primorye Territory that were moved to Cape Perovsky on 25 June were released into the wild in the Khabarovsk Territory. All the whales fared well on the journey.

“Experts have released the animals brought to Cape Perovsky. Two killer whales and six belugas have returned to the wild,” the message reads.

The whales were not released straight away due to the weather conditions: rain, fog, low clouds and wind up to 14 m per second.

“The release took place in favourable weather conditions. According to the scientists, the orcas were nervous as expected. They remained near the coast for several hours and then left for the open water of the Sakhalin Gulf,” the institute’s experts said.

Veterinarians carried out all the necessary analyses and made sure the whales’ vital signs were good before releasing them. In addition, special satellite tags were attached to the whales so that scientists can monitor their movements and collect data on their behaviour.

The difficult preparations for the whales’ release took many days. The animals spent six days en route from Srednyaya Bay in the Primorye Territory to Cape Perovsky, covering 1,800 km by lorry and boat.

During all this time, veterinarians and trainers were constantly monitoring the animals. Two people stayed in the water with them in four-hour shifts so that they would not get hurt or drown. 

“We thank the team for their highly professional work,” said Kirill Kolonchin, director of the Russian Fishery and Oceanography Research Institute. “I hope we will manage to carry out the next stages of the operation just as well.”

The experts and scientists also noted that it was the first time when so many marine mammals that had been living near humans for almost a year were released into the wild. 

“No country has ever carried out such a large release, so the Russian experience will help others to understand certain aspects of returning rehabilitated marine mammals to their natural environment,” the institute’s report reads. 

The next stage of the marine mammals’ release from Srednyaya Bay will begin after the team of experts returns and the animals are prepared for the move.