October 3, 2019

VNIRO press service reported about the release of 14 belugas that took place on October 2 in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, Sakhalin Gulf region.

According to VNIRO experts, all animals were transported without issues, sea conditions were favorable.

Information about the release is supported with only two photos. First one shows a container on a ship, second one shows the back of one animal that is released.

We are glad to see that belugas are being released, BUT we again have many questions.

Why wasn’t the public provided with detailed video footage of the release, where the surrounding landscape and all belugas could be seen?

In which part of the Sakhalin Gulf were belugas released? Were there wild relatives nearby?

How did belugas behave after the release?

Did VNIRO put satellite tags, and if so, how many? Have animals been tagged with freeze-branding? How will visual monitoring be conducted after release?

Despite repeated assurances that the processes of release and transportation will be as transparent as possible, VNIRO is again making the same mistakes and continuing to keep the public in the dark. Given the reasonably high level of lack of public trust in what is happening, it is strange to see VNIRO’s reluctance to make the entire release process transparent and report in detail, when there is nothing to hide.

We are waiting for evidence and details of the release.

In the meantime, two more important questions remain open: HOW MANY belugas remain in the “whale jail” ( the last recount by independent observers was done many months ago) and WHEN all of them will be released?

Friends, please support us and ask these and other questions that concern you to VNIRO on their social media pages, by phone +7 (499) 264-93-87 and e-mail vniro@vniro.ru. Let’s show that the public is worried about belugas as much as about orcas!