In 2002, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) in Pingtung , Taiwan , imported six beluga whales from Russia for the first time for performances in the name of “Education and Research”. Two of the whales died soon upon arrival. According to veterinarians, the animals probably died of organ inflammation and failure due to long distance transport. The other four belugas were trained to perform at the aquarium.

Four years later, NMMBA imported four more belugas “for breeding and developing artificial breeding techniques”. This prompted opposition from scores of Taiwanese and international conservation groups including the Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan, Kuroshio Ocean Educational Foundation, PEACETIME Foundation of Taiwan and Linking Individuals for Nature Conservation. Together, the organizations held a press conference on 18 January 2006 to appeal to the public to ban beluga importation. The hosts showed video clips of how wild belugas are captured, stressing that the process is not only inhumane, but could also threaten the survival of the species in the wild. Still, the four belugas arrived in Taiwan in February, 2006, and were sent to NMMBA to perform.

Apart from Taiwan , many other regions – in particular mainland China –have also been importing belugas in recent years. According to a survey on mainland Chinese aquariums conducted by our society during 2004-05, the country first imported beluga whales in 2001. By 2004, 19 individuals – all from Russia – had been brought into different aquariums to perform. The survey also revealed that more aquariums plan to import belugas and hence an even bigger number of the animal is likely to be imported in future.

So what's wrong with importing belugas? Why has this practice prompted such strong international opposition? According to a report released by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) – a renowned conservation group in the United Kingdom – only four out of the 29 wild beluga populations are considered “stable”. Factors that threaten belugas in the Artic range include: oil and gas development, over-hunting, over-fishing, vessel traffic, industrial development and pollution. The situation has roused international concerns over the years. Belugas are a “vulnerable” species according to the Redlist of Threatened Species of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). And the species is included in Appendix II of “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” list, which means a license is required for its commercial trade.

Most of the belugas imported into Taiwan and mainland China come from the Okhotsk Sea populations in Russia . There has been no survey of these populations in the passed decade and hence we do not have estimates of the population sizes and are uncertain about whether the species is endangered or no. Any removals from the area could, therefore, threaten the survival of these populations. And the damage caused by commercial hunting is likely to be far greater than we realize – along with each animal captured, many others may be injured or even killed because of the stress inflicted on them.

Last year, Ocean Park Hong Kong announced their redevelopment plans which included the building of an “Arctic Exhibition Hall” to showcase a range of new species including belugas. Artificial breeding of belugas is rare and hence Ocean Park will most likely be following the footsteps of mainland Chinese and Taiwanese aquariums by acquiring captured animals such as those from the Okhotsk Sea in Russia . We must ask ourselves a serious question here: should we sacrifice the animals' freedom – and possibly endangering the specie in due course – in the name of “education and recreation”?