Putting Animal Welfare First

An Update for Our Supporters

The SEA LIFE TRUST remains committed to moving Little White and Little Grey into Klettsvík Bay. However, after careful assessment – taking account of input from our animal care team and cetacean specialists – we have concluded that it would not be in the whales' best interests to proceed during the remainder of this summer.  

Significant progress has been made in developing and enhancing the infrastructure, facilities and engineering solutions needed to support the move.  

However, as the world's first open-water sanctuary for whales – and despite the progress the team has made this year in advancing this pioneering project – the experience gained through ongoing testing and operational preparation to date has demonstrated that more time is needed to complete this activity and the wider familiarisation and training required to maximise the prospects of a safe, successful and sustainable transition into the bay. 

As a result, we are now focused on completing that work to enable a move at the earliest appropriate opportunity during the 2027 season, once weather and environmental conditions become more favourable.  

As always, the welfare of Little White and Little Grey comes first. 

Animal welfare always comes first – which is why we’ve decided to delay 

The welfare of Little White and Little Grey will always be our highest priority, and we have carefully considered this (drawing on input from our animal care team and cetacean specialists) before deciding not to proceed with their return to Klettsvík Bay this summer, and instead, push the move to next year.

This is a complex, world-first challenge and we need time to get it right. 

This is the world's first and only open water sanctuary for whales, and as with any world-first, progress will not always be linear, and complex engineering challenges are to be expected.  

We have come an immensely long way from where we were at the beginning of this journey, and the team has made substantial progress over recent months in preparing the sanctuary for this important next step, with innovative engineering solutions and improved infrastructure.  

However, despite this innovation and the tireless work of the team, the complexity of the challenge means that it’s in the whales’ and the team’s best interests to allow more time to get this move right – and we are not prepared to compromise on preparation, training or safety in order to meet a seasonal deadline. 

For example, we have newly installed equipment that still needs to be tested under operational conditions, and our team needs more time to train and build confidence using those systems. Before any move takes place, we need confidence not only in the infrastructure itself but also in the procedures, emergency preparedness and day-to-day operations that will support the whales safely in the bay. 

While we are disappointed to be delaying the move, we are confident that it will allow for the necessary amount of testing, training, familiarisation and preparation to take place over a more comfortable period of time in appropriate weather conditions.  

We know many supporters were hoping to see Little White and Little Grey return to the bay this year, and we share that disappointment. We are incredibly grateful for the continued patience of all those who take an interest in the work of the sanctuary as we take the time needed to get this right for the whales. 

We remain highly optimistic about this project and are confident that these revised timescales will help us ensure the whales have the best possible experience – and we have the best prospects of achieving the project’s objectives.  

Our ambitions remain unchanged and we will continue working towards a safe and successful move at the earliest practical opportunity in 2027, when the whales, our team and the sanctuary operations are fully ready and environmental conditions become favourable once again. 

 

This is a pioneering, world-first project  

The Beluga Whale Sanctuary remains the world's first open-water sanctuary for whales – leading the way for other cetacean welfare initiatives across the world. There is no established blueprint for a project of this nature. Many of the systems, facilities and procedures involved have been specifically designed for this sanctuary and these whales, and need further careful testing, learning and adaptation.  

As with any pioneering initiative, progress is not always linear and complex engineering challenges are to be expected. Given the seasonal window for further testing in 2026 is now too narrow, this decision will give us an extended period of time during workable months over the spring / summer to help ensure the success of the project and the welfare of our whales.  

Building readiness takes time  

Returning to the bay represents a major change in environment for Little White and Little Grey. Before any move takes place, it is essential that the whales are comfortable with the equipment, procedures and experiences involved, and that the team is fully prepared to support them safely throughout the process. Training, familiarisation and preparation must happen at the appropriate pace and cannot be rushed.  

Much progress has been made over the last year to enhance and strengthen the sanctuary facilities, including new bespoke systems for engineering challenges that have been developed and refined. We are pleased with the substantial progress that has been made on the engineering and facility enhancements needed to support the move. The focus has now shifted towards ensuring operational readiness across the project, including continued validation of new systems and procedures, further staff training, emergency preparedness and ensuring the whales are fully prepared for the transition.  

How are Little White and Little Grey? 

Little White and Little Grey are in good health; both whales are continuing to thrive under our care. 

The belugas are currently eating approximately 21kg of fish a day each, which is helping to build up their strength. Alongside this, our expert care team continue to work closely with Little White and Little Grey, conducting a series of different exercises and training to prepare them for the various elements including the unpredictable weather conditions and tidal currents that they will face ahead of their return to Klettsvík Bay.  

Why not release the belugas straight back into the wild? 

Given Little White and Little Grey have spent the majority of their lives in human care, it would be very difficult for them to survive if they were suddenly released into the open ocean. 

The creation of the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary provides a natural open-water environment that seeks to replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible and will allow them to thrive. They will be able to swim in a vast open space and explore the flora and fauna of Klettsvík Bay, whilst their well-being is monitored and cared for by our dedicated team of experts.  

Our Heartfelt Thanks

To everyone who has supported, and continues to support this project, thank you. 

Your generosity, encouragement and belief in our mission have helped make the Beluga Whale Sanctuary what it is today, a safe and peaceful home where Little White and Little Grey have been able to leave their former lives in captivity behind. 

While this bay move has been postponed, our commitment to improving the lives of these whales remains unwavering. 

Every donation, every sanctuary visit, every shared story and word of support helps us continue our work, not only for Little White and Little Grey, but for the future of other whales that may one day benefit from the sanctuary. 

Thank you for standing with us, believing in our mission and helping us create a better future for marine mammals, one step at a time.