KhAI said that a 15-year-old male and a 14-year-old female were transferred to their pool from the Kharkov dolphinarium in late autumn 2023. There, special salt water was prepared for the dolphins, and their trainer lived in a tent nearby to provide minute-to-minute support for the beluga whales, who were under severe stress from the move and the loud sounds of war. The female Miranda refused to eat for two weeks, but gradually adapted to the new conditions.
Despite the difficult challenges, the dolphins found joy in the little things – in particular, when they saw snow in the open air for the first time.
“It happened one evening: snow was falling on the water, and the beluga whales, sticking out their faces, caught every snowflake with childish enthusiasm. And, like real artists, they were constantly looking for a reason to play with everyone who came to the pool. Their curiosity and friendliness charged everyone around with light even in the darkest times,” the message says.
In the spring-summer of 2024, an international special evacuation operation was organized for Plombir and Miranda along the route Kharkov – Odessa – Moldova – Spain. The video was published by Media Port on TikTok.
Now the dolphins live in the largest aquarium in Europe – Oceanogràfic de València, where they swim in spacious pools under peaceful skies.
“However, these two charming belugas have forever become part of the history of our university. And the KhAI pool will forever remain the place that became a kind of “Noah’s Ark” for them during the most difficult winter,” the university added.
