The actress hopes the whales will soon be returned to their “rightful ocean home”

Aug 22, 2013 17:46 GMT  ·  By
Kim Basinger hopes President Vladimir Putin will agree to release captive beluga whales living in Russia
   Kim Basinger hopes President Vladimir Putin will agree to release captive beluga whales living in Russia

Not long ago, NOAA denied the Georgia Aquarium's request for permission to import 18 beluga whales from Russia.

Shortly after, animal rights activists working with PETA argued that NOAA's decision was partly due to their and Kim Basinger's involvement in the issue.

NOAA hasn't yet confirmed that PETA and Kim Basinger's pleas had anything to do with its refusing to allow the Georgia Aquarium to import said marine mammals.

However, Kim Basinger is nothing if not confident in her power of persuasion.

In fact, she's so sure that her words can make a difference that she's decided to send an urgent appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking him to release the beluga whales.

“I was thrilled to learn that the 18 beluga whales who were slated to be transported from the Utrish Marine Mammal Research Station to a U.S. aquarium will remain in Russia and out of my home state of Georgia,” the actress reportedly wrote in her appeal.

“I urge you to help return these belugas to their families in the ocean. Will you take a strong unequivocal stand in favor of marine animals by initiating the rehabilitation-and-release process?” she added.

President Putin has thus far remained silent on the topic. Odds are it will take some time before he responds to Kim Basinger's appeal.