Urgent actions are needed to save 100 endangered whales captive in the Bering Sea

Dec 16, 2011 08:27 GMT  ·  By
Beluga at the mouth of Churchill River into Hudson Bay, Canada; these creatures are considered to be highly sociable
   Beluga at the mouth of Churchill River into Hudson Bay, Canada; these creatures are considered to be highly sociable

Almost 100 beluga beluga whales from the Bering Sea are at great risk, according to Russian agencies. Experts warn that these endangered creatures are currently trapped among large floating banks of ice.

Representatives from Russia's nature protection organization state that if rescuers don't act fast, the already vulnerable whales could die, NPR informs. Moreover, it seems that some of these cute creatures are food-deprived, because polar ice banks are rapidly advancing.

Apparently, the blocks of ice are thick and put the endangered creatures at risk, since they keep them captive and prevent them from swimming freely and surfacing for air in the Bering Sea.

Officials from Chukotka province call for urgent measures and are trying to solve this issue counting on the support offered by Russia's Transportation and Emergency agencies. Unfortunately, it could take up to two days for the expected vessel to arrive in the area.