World's first sanctuary for beluga whales: Two 13ft mammals will be fattened up and shipped from China to a new home in Iceland after being forced to perform at an aquarium

  • Two female belugas will be moved 6,000 miles to a secluded bay in Iceland
  • They will enjoy freer lives after performing shows in Shanghai for seven years 
  • Little Grey and Little White are being fed extra to prepare for subarctic waters
  • Experts say they will never go into the wild due to being in captivity for so long
  • Conservationists want to stop whales and dolphins being used for entertainment

By Jordan Barnes For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A pair of 12-year-old beluga whales will be the first residents of the world's first open water sanctuary for the mammals, which will open in a secluded bay in Iceland next spring.

The two females, named 'Little Grey' and 'Little White', are being prepared to embark on a 6,000-mile journey by air, land and sea from an aquarium in Shanghai, China, to their new home at sea.

Their days of performing for visitors are over with a more natural - but much cooler -  home awaiting.

Little White performs during a show at Ocean World in China. The beluga whale will be one of two to experience Iceland's new open water sanctuary next spring

Little White performs during a show at Ocean World in China. The beluga whale will be one of two to experience Iceland's new open water sanctuary next spring

The beluga whales are being trained for new surroundings where they will no longer be expected to perform

The beluga whales are being trained for new surroundings where they will no longer be expected to perform

The world's first open sea sanctuary on Heimaey island in Iceland covers 32,000 square metres and measures 10 metres deep

The world's first open sea sanctuary on Heimaey island in Iceland covers 32,000 square metres and measures 10 metres deep

The Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary — the first of its kind at sea — is being created in a rocky inlet on Heimaey island.

Together with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Sea Life Trust wants the sanctuary to lead the way for other captive whales to be moved into more natural environments. 

'We're delighted to break new ground in marine animal welfare with the creation of the world's first sanctuary for beluga whales,' said Sea Life Trust head Andy Bool.

'This project has been years in the making and is a pioneering solution to how the aquarium industry can reshape the futures of whales in captivity.'   

Little Grey and Little White will enjoy freer lives while in captivity at the world's first open sea sanctuary

Little Grey and Little White will enjoy freer lives while in captivity at the world's first open sea sanctuary

Little White checks out her reflection, a sign of intelligence in the whale

Little White checks out her reflection, a sign of intelligence in the whale

Little Grey and Little White have been held at aquarium Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai since 2011. 

The 13ft long whales are being readied for new conditions, including training to hold their breath longer for the deep dives they will be able to do in the bay.

They are also being taught to swim in tides and currents.

Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai have been making Little Grey perform for seven years

Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai have been making Little Grey perform for seven years

The two female whales measure 13ft in length. They will remain in captivity but enjoy lives closer to that of wild belugas 

The two female whales measure 13ft in length. They will remain in captivity but enjoy lives closer to that of wild belugas 

Their rich diet of herring and capelin is being increased to create the extra blubber they will need in Iceland's cold subarctic waters.

A team of vets and experts will join them on their 30-hour journey as they lie on stretchers.

Their new home in Klettsvik Bay covers 32,000 square metres and is 10 metres deep.

Netting will keep them closed them off in a secure area relatively protected from the elements. 

Experts believe the pair, originally from Russia, will never be ready for a fully wild life because of their time spent in captivity.

But the sanctuary will provide them with a more spacious and natural environment where they can behave like wild belugas for their rest of the lives.

They are expected to live up to 40 or 50 years, according to Press Association. 

Little Grey and Little White's diets have increased calorie intake to create extra blubber that will help in Iceland's colder waters

Little Grey and Little White's diets have increased calorie intake to create extra blubber that will help in Iceland's colder waters

 The two female beluga whales can never be fully released into the wild, experts say

 The two female beluga whales can never be fully released into the wild, experts say

Staff at Ocean World, where the whales have been since 2011, clean Little Grey's teeth

Staff at Ocean World, where the whales have been since 2011, clean Little Grey's teeth

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