The Valencian Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, and SeaWorld have collaborated with the NEMO Dolphinarium in Kharkiv in the rescue of its two animals in a high-risk international operation.
Specialists in marine mammals from the Oceanogràfic of Valencia and the American aquariums of Georgia Aquarium and SeaWorld have carried out a risky international operation to successfully rescue two belugas from the NEMO Dolphinarium in war-torn Kharkiv, in Ukraine, and transfer them to the Valencian aquarium. The animals arrived at the Oceanogràfic in Valencia on the night of June 18 in critical health conditions after a long journey from the conflict zone.
Animals named Plombir and Miranda, aged 14 and 15, lived in the Kharkiv City Dolphinarium “Nemo” located in Shevchenko Garden. In recent months, the city has been under constant Russian shelling. One of the shells landed near the dolphinarium.
The evacuation of the belugas began with a 12-hour road trip from Kharkiv to Odesa. In Odesa, the Ukrainian keepers met with teams from Oceanogràfic, Georgia Aquarium, and SeaWorld, who carried out the first veterinary checks. After the check-up, they resumed their journey to the Moldovan border. The collaboration of the European Union Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) was crucial in speeding up the border crossing and reducing the arrival time at Chisinau airport in Moldova.
A plane, specially chartered for the belugas and in which six international experts in animal care traveled, has successfully completed its transfer to Valencia after a five-hour flight.
The Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium in Europe and the only one on the continent that has belugas in its facilities. In addition, it is the closest marine conservation center to Ukraine and is accredited by the most rigorous international organizations in animal welfare.
“The war in Kharkiv has led to shortages of food, energy and medicine. As a result, the NEMO aquarium has seen its ability to provide the best possible care for its animals diminished. This shortage of technical supplies has also complicated the logistics of the rescue,” says Dr. Daniel García-Párraga, Director of Zoological Operations at Oceanogràfic Valencia.
Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, the NEMO Dolphinarium has evacuated several of its animals, including seals, sea lions and dolphins. Relocating the belugas was a much more complex logistical operation due to their size and specific technical needs. This operation therefore required several months of preparation and the involvement of international experts.
“The challenges have been immense. We have worked tirelessly to identify and minimize risks and protect the belugas throughout the journey to Valencia. My heart goes out to the Ukrainian keepers and the people of Kharkiv who had to say goodbye to Miranda and Plombir. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been the best thing for them. I am proud to have played a part in helping them,” says Dennis Christen, senior director of animal welfare and behavior at Georgia Aquarium.
Two Ukrainian caretakers will be with the animals during the first few weeks to help them adapt to the Oceanogràfic. In addition, a highly qualified team of veterinarians from the Valencia aquarium, together with experts in nutrition and animal behaviour, will help the belugas recover from the adversities they have experienced in Ukraine.
“The belugas will initially remain in areas that are inaccessible or visible to the public. When fully recovered and adapted, they will join Kylu and Yulka, the resident belugas at Oceanogràfic de Valencia. We are very grateful to everyone who participated in this rescue,” concludes Dr. García-Párraga.
