Putin's order to release 100 'tame' sea mammals from 'whale jail' following campaign backed by Leonardo DiCaprio could lead to their mass annihilation in the wild, scientists warn

  • Beluga and orca whales are set to be released from Primorsky region in Russia
  • Whale trainers say they are too tame and affectionate to survive without humans
  • Comes after FSB began charges against company who planned to sell them 

By Will Stewart for MailOnline

Published: | Updated:

Vladimir Putin's order to release around 100 sea mammals from a 'whale jail' could lead to their mass annihilation in the wild, scientists have warned.

The beluga and orca whales are set to be released from the Primorsky region of Russia following a campaign backed by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio.

New footage shows the extent to which the creatures have been trained to be 'affectionate' ahead of their intended export to aquariums in China.

The Kremlin leader's spokesman said that Putin had already 'made the relevant order' and that he hoped 'the problem around the killer whales will be resolved in a very short time and that they will be released'.

The news comes after the FSB security service began laying charges for ill-treatment against companies controlling the cramped mammal jail and aiming to sell them.

White Whale, which supplies sea mammals to aquariums often in China, is one of four firms holding ten killer whales and 87 beluga whales in a controversial facility near the port town of Nakhodka

Around 100 sea mammals are set to be released from a 'whale jail' (pictured) in the Primorsky region of Russia following a campaign backed by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio 

But a court in the far eastern city of Vladivostok ruled the company had violated fishing regulations when it captured three killer whales  and fined it £340,000

But experts have warned that the animals, who were going to be sold to aquariums in China, may be too tame to survive in the wild and could be annihilated 

The news comes after the FSB security service began laying charges for ill-treatment against companies controlling the cramped mammal jail and aiming to sell them

The news comes after the FSB security service began laying charges for ill-treatment against companies controlling the cramped mammal jail and aiming to sell them

Leonardo DiCaprio, pictured in November, backed the campaign for the mammals to be released

Leonardo DiCaprio, pictured in November, backed the campaign for the mammals to be released

Putin has also demanded the swift release of 11 orcas and 87 beluga whales from their 'whale jail' on Russia's Pacific coast, according to reports, but there are now doubts here as to whether this will happen.

Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Primorsky region, said: 'Scientists emphasise that at the moment the release into the wild of caged animals is fraught with risks to their lives.'

Russia has 'no experience' of returning whales to the wild, he added.

The waters off Nakhodka in Primorsky region 'are not their natural habitat' and a release to the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk is both illegal under Russian law and 'extremely complex', he warned, apparently defying Putin, his mentor.

'Besides, their socialisation causes serious questions, whether they can join wild herds or not,' he said bluntly.

A scientific analysis he commissioned from Russian experts warned that the mammals are so used to hand feeding that release could lead to their death.

He called for cooperation from international experts with experience in restoring whales to the wild.

Pictured: An aerial view of the pools the 11 orcas and 90 belugas were being kept in Srednyaya Bay near the city of Nakhodka, ahead of their sale to Chinese aquariums

Pictured: An aerial view of the pools the 11 orcas and 90 belugas were being kept ahead of their sale to Chinese aquariums 

A scientific analysis commissioned by the governor of Primorsky region warned the mammals are so used to hand feeding that release could lead to their death

A scientific analysis commissioned by the governor of Primorsky region, warned that the mammals are so used to hand feeding that release could lead to their death

Whale tamers at the jail released this clip, showing how affectionate the young beluga whales are
He said: 'They are affectionate, tamed. And for them life without humans will be hard and unbearable'

Whale tamers at the jail released this clip, showing how affectionate the young beluga whales are. He said: 'They are affectionate, tamed. And for them life without humans will be hard and unbearable'

In a newly released clip, a whale tamer caring for the mammals demonstrated how the young beluga whales are unsuited to release.

Putin has also demanded the swift release of 11 orcas and 87 beluga whales from their 'whale jail' on Russia's Pacific coast

Putin has also demanded the swift release of 11 orcas and 87 beluga whales from their 'whale jail' on Russia's Pacific coast

He said: 'Look at our foster children. They absolutely do not want to live without humans.

'They are affectionate, tamed. And for them life without humans will be hard and unbearable.'

Head trainer Andrei Nasonov also cast doubt on intentions to release the whales, saying today that training for future use in Chinese aquariums was still ongoing despite the FSB action.

'When they were brought here, they were completely wild,' he said. 'They did not approach people. Now these animals are very active in their contacts with people.'

Minister of Nature Resources Dmitry Kobylkin said 'it is absolutely clear that killer whales must be released'.

But it must be done so that not one mammal is lost, he added.

Head trainer Andrei Nasonov also cast doubt on intentions to release the whales, saying training for future use in Chinese aquariums was still ongoing

Head trainer Andrei Nasonov also cast doubt on intentions to release the whales, saying today that training for future use in Chinese aquariums was still ongoing

The Kremlin leader's spokesman said that Putin had 'made the relevant order' and that he hoped 'the problem around the killer whales will be resolved in a very short time'

The Kremlin leader's spokesman said that Putin had already 'made the relevant order' and that he hoped 'the problem around the killer whales will be resolved in a very short time and that they will be released'

'The animals have been in captivity for a very long time, just to let them out [is impossible],' he said.

Some whales maybe suffering from pneumonia which meant 'lifting them is quite problematic'.

He warned 'a lot of time has passed, and the whales have adapted' to captivity, meaning freeing them was 'not easy'.

French environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, 80, has offered his expertise while warning of major difficulties.

'We are hopeful the Russian government will work to release the orcas and belugas back to the ocean where they belong, but the task of doing so is daunting,' he said.

'We are pleased to offer our expertise to this effort in any way that can be useful to the Russian government and scientific community.' 

RussiaVladimir PutinChina

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