Freedom for Bella, a beluga whale: everything you need to know

A female beluga whale, captured in Russian waters at around two years old in 2013, spent close to a decade in a barren tank within a South Korean mega mall. The Lotte World Aquarium, Seoul's largest aquarium run by a major conglomerate, housed the beluga named Bella, along with two male belugas, Belli and Bellu, and other polar animals like penguins and seals, forming a popular arctic attraction.

Captivity and Exploitation: A Beluga Whale's Tale

1. Life in Captivity: The Luminescent Tank

• In a 1,224-ton tank, three beluga whales were the stars, often featured in visitors’ selfies and TikToks.
• The trio, captivating viewers with twirls in luminescent blue water, became a spectacle in a tank 24 feet deep.

2. Tragic Demise of Belugas: Bellu and Belli

• Bellu died at the age of 5 in 2016; Belli followed in 2019 at the age of 12.
• In the wild, beluga whales have an average life expectancy of 35 to 50 years, but captivity drastically shortens their lives.

3. Firestorm of Criticism and Broken Promises

• South Korean animal rights activists criticized the deaths, prompting action from the Lotte Corporation.
• In 2019, Lotte pledged to release Bella, the remaining beluga whale.

4. Empty Promises and Lingering Captivity

• Despite promises, as of nearly 2024, Bella remains on display in the aquarium.
• Lotte claims release plans are still in place, but details and a release date remain undisclosed.

5. Stressful Signs of Captivity

• Videos show Bella exhibiting stress behaviour, including spinning in circles and floating listlessly near the water's surface.
• The spokesperson claims Bella is in good health but undergoing training for release.

6. Controversy Surrounding Captive Whales

• Activists estimate around 300 beluga whales are in captivity globally.
• The aquarium industry in East Asia, particularly in China and Japan, sees a rise in popularity despite growing controversy.

7. Hope for a Sanctuary: Norway's Invitation

• Norway's Norwegian Whale Reserve offers a sanctuary in a vast arctic fjord for Bella's potential release.
• Lotte has not confirmed acceptance of the invitation or provided updates on the release.

8. Urgent Calls for Release and Animal Welfare

• Animal rights organizations, including PETA and dolphin activist Ric O’Barry, call for Bella's release.
• Urgency is stressed as Bella continues to suffer alone in captivity.

9. A Plea for a New Life: Undoing the Damage

• O’Barry expresses readiness to travel to South Korea to facilitate Bella's release.
• Calls persist for the Lotte Corporation to prioritize Bella's welfare and let her experience life in a sanctuary.