At a flashy mall in South Korea’s capital, shoppers can gather round for selfies with a lonely beluga as she swims around her tank. Despite promises the whale will be released as soon as possible, campaigners are continuing to push for her release before she suffers the same ill-fate as her former tankmates.
Bella the beluga lives in a tank at the Lotte World Aquarium, located within a towering shopping complex in central Seoul, South Korea. It’s owned by Lotte Corporation, one of South Korea’s largest conglomerate corporations involved in everything from food manufacturing and construction to retail and tourism.
There were originally three beluga whales in the tank, but the two other inhabitants have reportedly died in the past eight years at young ages: a 5-year-old male beluga named Bello passed away in April 2016, followed by the death of 12-year-old Belli in October 2019.
Lotte announced that it would release Bella after the demise of her last tankmate in 2019, although they are yet to do so – and protestors are growing impatient.
Activists say Bella is showing signs of boredom and distress in her small tank.
Image courtesy of Hot Pink Dolphins
One of the groups leading the charge to free Bella is Hot Pink Dolphins. Along with staging frequent protests outside the Lotte World Mall, they have teamed up with the Dolphin Project to launch a petition calling for the beluga to be released back into the ocean.
“Jo Yak-gol, co-founder of Hot Pink Dolphins has stated that Bella exhibits behavior of stress and boredom due to her solitary confinement. She is often seen spinning in small circles in her tank, or floating listlessly on the surface of the water,” reads the petition.
“It is time for Lotte to stand behind their commitment to rehabilitate and evaluate Bella for release. She deserves to regain the freedom that was stolen from her,” it adds.
Beluga are a species of cetacean native to Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. They’re known for their all-white color, their squishy melon-shaped heads, and the absence of a dorsal fin, which helps them to swim under ice. They are one of two members of the family Monodontidae, along with the narwhal, an elusive species known for their curiously long tusks that stick out from their heads.
Just like all cetacea, beluga whales are incredibly intelligent and sensitive animals. They have a reputation for being curious, gentle, and social – characteristics that make them appealing to humans, but also incompatible with living in captivity.
Hot Pink Dolphins and other groups frequently protest against Bella’s captivity.
Image courtesy of Hot Pink Dolphins
South Korea passed a law in 2023 that banned the purchase of new dolphins and whales for display. However, the legislation doesn’t cover animals that are already in captivity.
In November 2023, the Lotte Corporation told CNN they were working to release the beluga to sanctuary in Iceland, but there were several setbacks due to “environmental issues within their facility”.
“Accordingly, we are discussing various alternatives, including (other) overseas sanctuaries and domestic ones, with experts from the discharge committee,” they added.
In the meantime, activists are trying to keep the pressure up to ensure the lonely whale is not forgotten about.
“It is time Bella was given the freedom she was promised,” reads the petition for her release.
Source Link: Free Bella: Activists Urge To Release Captive Beluga From Mega Mall In South Korea