Geoje Sea World Sues Environmental Agency Over Beluga Export Ban Amid Whale Deaths Controversy

Geoje Sea World, a marine park in South Korea that has faced significant controversy due to repeated whale deaths, is now pursuing legal action to export its beluga whales. The facility, struggling with operational challenges and restrictions on animal experience programs following amendments to the zoo and aquarium law, is reportedly looking to sell its captive whales, including belugas and bottlenose dolphins, to countries like China.

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Geoje Sea World, which has been embroiled in controversy due to the successive deaths of whales, has filed an administrative lawsuit against the environmental authorities to permit the re-export of beluga whales.

The facility's request for export permits has been repeatedly denied by the Nakdonggang River Basin Environmental Office, citing insufficient documentation. In response, Geoje Sea World filed an administrative lawsuit in March to nullify the denial of the export permit for the endangered species. The first hearing is scheduled for July 23.

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The facility is trying to sell the whales to China and other countries as it becomes difficult to operate the facility.

This move comes amid a backdrop of ongoing tragedy at the park. The lawsuit was filed shortly after a baby beluga died just three days after its birth earlier this month. Since its opening in 2014, Geoje Sea World has seen a total of 17 whale deaths, including a bottlenose dolphin calf that died ten days after birth in September 2024, and a 17-year-old bottlenose dolphin named Mark, who died of chronic pneumonia and pericarditis in January.

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Geoje Sea World, which has been embroiled in controversy due to the successive deaths of whales, has filed an administrative lawsuit against the environmental authorities to permit the re-export of beluga whales.

Environmental groups like Hot Pink Dolphins have strongly condemned Geoje Sea World's actions, calling the attempt to export the whales "irresponsible." They argue that the facility is trying to wash its hands of the situation by sending the whales abroad due to operational difficulties. The groups are demanding that Geoje Sea World immediately halt its efforts to export the belugas to Chinese facilities, which they claim lead to deaths, and withdraw its lawsuit.

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The facility is trying to sell the whales to China and other countries as it becomes difficult to operate the facility.