‘Free Bella’: Activists demand release of beluga whale confined in Seoul mall for a decade

Bella, a female beluga, was captured in Russian waters at a young age and has been residing in a concrete tank within an aquarium at the Lotte World Mall in the capital of South Korea for nearly a decade.

Initially part of an exhibit featuring two more male belugas, Belli and Bello, along with other polar animals like penguins and seals, Bella is a focal point for visitors seeking entertainment and interaction with marine life.

Despite assurances from the Lotte World Mall to release Bella, following the passing of her tank mates — Bello in 2016 and Belli 2019 — the beluga remains in captivity as of 2024.

This delay in fulfilling the promise of her release has sparked outrage from animal rights activists in South Korea.

The campaign for Bella’s freedom underscores the importance of prioritising the welfare of animals in captivity and advocates for responsible stewardship of marine life. (X/@hotpinkdolphines)

What are the concerns?

Even as the ideal lifespan of a beluga whale is 35 to 50 years, Bello died at the age of 5, followed by the death of Belli at the age of 12.

Social activists have now raised concerns about Bella’s well-being after she exhibited behaviours indicative of stress and discomfort commonly observed in whales kept in confined spaces, according to a marine environmentalist group Hot Pink Dolphins.

Post Belli’s death, there was a public outcry which led to the Lotte World Mall issuing Bella’s release in 2019. However even after a petition in 2021, the white beluga whale has not been released yet.

In 2014, the whales were brought to the mall and transferred to a tank, 7.5 metre narrow and 555 metres deep. Concerns were raised about the tank being not a comfortable place for the water animals, which were 3.5 metres in length and could swim as deep as 1,000 metres in natural habitat.

The ideal lifespan of a beluga whale is 35 to 50 years in the wild, however, Bello died at the age of 5, the tragedy followed with Belli dying at the age of 12. (X/@dolphineproject)

Jo Yak-gol, of the Hot Pink Dolphins. has put up multiple posts about Bella’s release from the 555-metre-high Lotte World Tower. Hot Pink Dolphins, along with Dolphin Project, have fired-up an international petition.

Social activist groups has called out the “animal abuse” on Bella and asked for her release.

The marine environmentalist group, Dolphin Project has also highlighted concerns about orcas and dolphins in Russia used for display and entertainment.

It’s not education, and it’s not conservation. It’s exploitation in the name of profit. Please don’t buy a ticket to ANY facility that has dolphins and whales in tanks for entertainment. For more and how you can help at: https://t.co/ft1bfJQiTZ#ThanksButNoTanks #DolphinProject pic.twitter.com/DSaC4oGOYX

— Dolphin Project (@Dolphin_Project) May 19, 2024

Lotte World Mall has stated that efforts are underway to facilitate Bella’s transition to a sanctuary environment, emphasising on her health and ongoing training for potential release.

While the mall has identified a sanctuary in Iceland as a suitable location for Bella’s relocation, logistical challenges and unresolved questions about alternative sanctuaries, such as one in Norway, have contributed to delays in the release process state the authorities.

The campaign for Bella’s freedom underscores the importance of prioritising the welfare of animals in captivity and advocates for responsible stewardship of marine life.

The Free Bella campaign has hence once again drawn attention towards the ethical considerations surrounding the captivity of marine mammals and the impact on their physical and psychological well-being.

Bella’s situation ignited the age-old debate over balancing public entertainment with animal welfare, prompting discussions about the responsibilities of institutions that house and exhibit marine animals.