The International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute is one of the lead organizations globally coordinating efforts on behalf of Russian whales and dolphins. We helped to return the Whale Jail whales of Russia to the ocean and are now working to permanently ban such wild captures of whales and dolphins in Russian waters.
I recently asked our Russian conservationist friends about the latest news on the freed Russian Whale Jail whales and efforts to ban future captures of cetaceans in Russian waters.
The areas where the ten orcas and 87 beluga whales from the Whale Jail were released are still in the grip of winter, so no new information from the ground is available. The Russian government has information based on satellite tags for several of the whales, and while they have not released specific data to the public, they do indicate that the whales appear to be feeding normally and doing well.
We know at least two orcas rejoined pods of wild orcas, based on several photographs taken by researchers before winter set in. Our Russian allies believe most of the released whales, especially those released early on in the fall, are likely doing well and have been able to rejoin their pods.
Another indication is that so far there are no reports of any dead or stranded whales in the area.
There is some concern for the 50 beluga whales who were released short of their original feeding grounds. It is hoped they will migrate north once ice conditions allow, and they can then rejoin their home pods, assuming they have not yet done so.
However, we recently learned that several young beluga whales did return to the vicinity of the Whale Jail and were begging for food. The current status of these whales is unknown.
In December, Russian activists submitted more than 100,000 signatures of Russian citizens on a petition to the government of Russia calling for an end to live captures of any cetaceans in Russian waters. Russia is the only place in the world where beluga whales and orcas are currently caught for sale to the captivity industry. Additionally, there are other dolphin species that are captured in the Russian Black Sea and Pacific Ocean and doomed to lives held in captivity.
There is no news yet of reaction from Moscow to the petition. Under Russian law, the government is required to establish a commission to review the issues and make recommendations for changes in the law.
We are all waiting now to hear from Moscow and any commission recommendations. We’ll keep you posted.
