RELEASE OF THE REMAINING 50 BELUGAS UNDER THREAT!

On October 30th VNIRO reported on its website that contracts for the purchase of 50 belugas from the capture companies for their release into the sea had not yet been signed through the fault of the capture companies. Documents were sent to them on October 24, the deadline for their consideration expires on October 31. Source: http://vniro.ru/ru/novosti/zavershilas-podgotovka-k-transportirovke-belukh-iz-bukhty-srednyaya

The deliberate delay of release by the four capture companies threatens to disrupt the release of the last prisoners of the “whale jail”; only few days remain for release due to strong autumn storms and the approaching winter.

Friends, we think this is an attempt to block the release. Capture companies take advantage of the uncertainty in the legal status of belugas, which has resulted from the inaction of some government agencies. Despite all the evidence, the courts that were won by Sakhalin environmentalists and
Coast Guard division of the FSB , proving the illegality of the capture of all animals, despite the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, officials of Rosprirodnadzor, the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office have still not take any action to remove the whales from illegal possession. We have prepared a detailed statement on the situation (in english):
http://freerussianwhales.org/en/the-release-of-the-remaining-50-beluga-whales-is-under-threat/

Sabotage of a release contrary to law, public opinion, and an order from the president of Russia may be the last attempt by capture companies to sell belugas to China. Remember the recent news about negotiations with Chinese companies? That was a smoke, but here is the fire!

Friends, we need to take action once again and write letters! Write to the following recipients:

1) Administration of the President of the Russian Federation and Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation for Ecology S.B. Ivanov on the website: http://en.letters.kremlin.ru/
2) to the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev on Twitter @MedvedevRussia, contacting Instagram @damedvedev and on the website of the Government of the Russian Federation http://services.government.ru/letters/

There areonly a few days left for the release of belugas. When transported in open containers on deck, whales are inactive for days. At sub-zero temperatures, they may die from hypothermia or become seriously ill, which will affect their survival in nature. Demand from the authorities decisive action to remove the remaining 50 belugas from illegal possession and release them as soon as possible into their native sea!

http://freerussianwhales.org/en/the-release-of-the-remaining-50-beluga-whales-is-under-threat/