Iceland To Open The World's First (And Only) Beluga Whale Sanctuary Next Year

Twelve-year-old beluga whales "Little White" and "Little Grey" are preparing to move into a new home. The open-air sanctuary – based in Iceland – is the first of its kind worldwide and is on track to open in the spring of next year after being six years in the making.

There are currently 105 orcas (aka killer whales) and beluga whales held in captivity in North America alone. Globally, more than 3,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises spend their days in tanks so that visitors can pay to gawk at and play with these majestic creatures.

"Little White" and "Little Grey", who are currently residing in an amusement park in China, are two of the lucky ones who will get to spend the rest of their days in a 32,000-square-meter (345,000-square-foot) sanctuary off the Westman Islands, near the southwest coast of Iceland. The location was chosen after extensive studies examining the seabed, weather conditions, and water quality of the environment. Runners-up included sites in Norway and Russia.

Wildlife experts also had to check the site's noise levels – like their "unicorn-horned" cousins, belugas are skittish creatures.

More:
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/iceland-is-to-open-the-worlds-first-and-only-beluga-whale-sanctuary-next-year/