Kremlin Says To Tell Putin About Celebrities' Call For Animals' Release From 'Whale Jail'

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be informed about a recent call made by a group of celebrities for the immediate release of killer whales and belugas that were found to be kept in so-called whale jail in Srednyaya Bay in Russia's Far East, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, adding that Moscow was already doing everything possible to save the animals

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th March, 2019) Russian President Vladimir Putin will be informed about a recent call made by a group of celebrities for the immediate release of killer whales and belugas that were found to be kept in so-called whale jail in Srednyaya Bay in Russia's Far East, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, adding that Moscow was already doing everything possible to save the animals.

On March 17, a number of renowned filmmakers and musicians from around the world, along with Jordanian Queen Dowager Noor Al Hussein, urged Russian authorities in an open letter to return the marine mammals to their natural habitat.�

"[Putin] has not been informed yet about this issue in particular, but [the president] will be informed [about it] together with other media materials.

As for the point of the appeal, the president is perfectly aware of what it going on ... This issue is being dealt with, everything necessary is being done to save the lives of these cetaceans," Peskov told reporters.

The story about killer whales and belugas being held in containment facilities with deplorable conditions in Srednyaya Bay made headlines last fall after Greenpeace warned that the animals were allegedly destined for China, which had already purchased 15 killer whales over the past five years.

A probe has been launched into the illegal fishing of aquatic animals and animal abuse, while authorities are working out plans to help adapt the marine mammals before they are released into the wild.