Welcome Home, Whales!

Two beluga whales recently traveled halfway around the world. But they didn’t swim. They made the journey by truck, plane, and boat!

The whales, named Little Grey and Little White, started their 6,000-mile trip in China. Their journey ended in Iceland, in the world’s first open-water sanctuary for their species.

Ten years ago, Little Grey and Little White were captured in the Arctic Ocean. They were taken to an aquarium in China, where they had little room to swim. New owners bought the aquarium in 2012. They teamed up with conservation groups to give the whales a better life.

During their trip to Iceland, cranes and special tanks were needed to move the whales. Each eats about 55 pounds of fish a day—and weighs more than 2,000 pounds.

The Beluga Whale Sanctuary is in a large bay that has a rich variety of seaweed, kelp, and fish for the whales to eat. An underwater net blocks the bay’s entrance to protect the pair from predators.

The belugas may even get some friends. The sanctuary is hoping to welcome more whales in the future.