Beluga whales in aquariums and marine parks face complex welfare challenges. Emerging sanctuary solutions offer alternatives between captivity and open-ocean release.
Beluga whale welfare in aquarium and marine park settings is compromised by the fundamental mismatch between their natural ranging behavior and tank environments. Their complex social and communication needs cannot be adequately met in captive settings. Sea sanctuaries — enclosed natural sea bays where former captive belugas can experience tidal variation, natural water, fish, and greater space — represent a welfare improvement over tanks without the mortality risk of full ocean release. The Little White and Little Grey belugas transferred from a Chinese aquarium to the Sea Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary in Iceland represent a pioneering model.