SEALIFE Trust Beluga project update
Some time has now passed since ATL’s last SEALIFE Trust Beluga project update
Last year the ATL team completed work on an world leading project for the SEALIFE Trust Beluga project in Iceland. Our team provided composite waterproofing and deep water glazing for the large care pool and displays support for the project. The SEALIFE trust beluga project is located on Heimaey one of the Vestmannaeyer Islands. The island is stunning and Klettsvikk Bay was chosen as it provides a secluded, more natural sub arctic location for the worlds first ever open water beluga whale sanctuary.
Over the course of the last year the SEALIFE trust beluga project has been tirelessly working to provide all of the care and support needed for these amazing creatures. The sanctuary provides a new home for little grey and little white the two previously captive Beluga whales from Chanfeng Ocean Park in Shanghai, China. Created in partnership with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) the Beluga Whale sanctuary is one of the biggest recent developments in captive whale and dolphin. The SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary and has been many years in the planning, involving some of the world’s foremost whale and dolphin experts to develop the plan for the Sanctuary. Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is the leading global charity dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales and dolphins. For the past twenty years, they have worked in partnership with Merlin Entertainments, and more recently the Sea Life Trust, to achieve better protection for whales and dolphins, including those held in captivity.
WDC has provided expert guidance on welfare and conservation to the SEA LIFE Trust throughout the development of this Sanctuary.
During these difficult times with the world in lock down it was been really uplifting to be be able to follow Little White and Little Greys progress on the various social media platforms. This week it has been announced that they will now be entering the next exciting phase of rehabilitation – accessing the bay itself.
Following on from the success of Little Grey and Little Whites rehabilitation it is hoped that the SEALIFE Trust Beluga project continue with the resettlement of other captive Belugas. For more details see BBC:Two beluga whales get a taste of the sea at their new home in Iceland
In addition to the Beluga’s the Klettsvik Bay sanctuary provides care for other animals in the new visitor Centre located in Vestmannaeyjar Harbour. The visitor centre houses:
A native species aquarium allowing you to get up close to the other animals that share the belugas’ new home
A Puffin Rescue Centre – learn all about these amazing birds that inhabit the Vestmannaeyjar islands and hear about how the islanders, are helping to protect them
Interactive displays telling the story of the Sanctuary and its resident beluga whales enabling everyone to learn all about why Heimaey is home to the belugas.
