Intermediate Habitat Construction
Little Grey and Little White’s welfare will always be our top priority. After observing the whales in the sea sanctuary during 2020, our expert care team decided to build an intermediate habitat to help bring about a safe and successful transition for the whales from the sea care pools to the main bay. Construction and installation of the 'halo' intermediate habitat was completed and the belugas returned to the bay once again in 2023.
We are continuing to adapt and pioneer ways to create the best possible home for Little Grey and Little White as part of this world-first sanctuary project. We are always learning, improving, and setting the highest industry standard of care for others to build upon. The adaptations we´ve made this year are designed to support the whales' gradual acclimation to the bay environment, in line with their Little Steps Program.
This intermediate habitat will help to create an additional step for both Little Grey and Little White to transition into the bay in their own time, as well as any additional beluga whales who will join them in the future.
The adaptions to the sanctuary are progressing well and we continue to work towards Little Grey and Little Whites return to the bay sanctuary this Spring 2026.
NOTE: February 2026 Update on Little White, Little Grey and The Bay Project.
Background:
During the whales’ time in the main bay, they adapted at different paces, and while both had positive experiences, Little White acclimated at a slower pace. Our animal care team and veterinary experts made careful observations of the behaviours of both belugas throughout the acclimatisation process. The differences in their ways of adapting to the larger bay area indicated the benefits, for Little White in particular, to have a middle-step in her adjustment to a larger and more natural environment.
After the four months that Little White and Little Grey spent in the sea sanctuary in 2020, the return into their landside facilities was planned to be just for the winter season, but following a series of significant supply chain issues driven by the Coronavirus pandemic, the critical adaptations to the sanctuary were unable to be completed before summer 2021 (before the beluga whales returned into it) and the move was then delayed until 2023, where the whales were able to stay in the bay for the Summer season.
The new intermediate habitat is now a large circular area fixed in place next to the existing sea sanctuary care pools. It is 160 metres in circumference (2000sqm) and allows access to the sea floor which give the whales more access to natural flora and fauna of the bay as they adjust to the more natural surroundings.
The structure also gives the care team closer proximity to Little Grey and Little White during that acclimation process, alongside new staff accommodations on site on the pontoons. This allows the team to closely observe the whales’ behaviour and preferences and help make their adjustment to the new surroundings positive at every step.
Little Grey and Little White continue to do well in their landside care pool and we continue to care for their welfare needs, as well as getting them ready for their next move into the bay this Spring 2026, as part of the ‘Little Steps’ programme.
NOTE: February 2026 Update on Little White, Little Grey and The Bay Project.