Arrival of Belugas Postponed

The arrival of two beluga whales from Shanghai, scheduled for Keflavík International Airport tomorrow, has been postponed, Morgunblaðið reports. The reason: inclement weather in Iceland this week and the fact that Landeyjahöfn harbor, from where the whales were supposed to sail to Vestmannaeyjar islands, is yet to open for the season.

Merlin Entertainments and the charity Sea Life Trust, organizers of the project, do not believe the belugas would survive the three-hour ferry ride from Þorlákshöfn harbor to Vestmannaeyjar islands. The ferry ride from Landeyjahöfn harbor, located about 80 km (50 mi) farther east and open only part of the year, takes only half an hour.

The belugas have been living in a marine animal park in Shanghai. The plan is for them to make Klettsvík cove in Vestmannaeyjar islands their future home. Tourists will be able to observe them in their new home, which is a pen in the cove. 

Landeyjahöfn harbor accumulates sand and mud every year, making dredging necessary. Due to inclement weather, dredging has been delayed this year.

No new date has been set for the arrival of the belugas.