Whales to make epic journey from China to world's first sanctuary

Two beluga whales living in a Shanghai aquarium will make a journey of more than 9,223-kilometre next year to a new open-water sanctuary in Iceland.

The “groundbreaking marine welfare project”, the world’s first sanctuary for beluga whales, was unveiled this week by the Sea Life Trust in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

The female whales, known as Little Grey and Little White, will travel early next year from Chengfeng Ocean World in Shanghai to a secluded bay off Heimaey Island, which is off the south coast of Iceland.