'Whale graveyard' Geoje Sea World sees newborn beluga die just 3 days after birth

A newborn beluga whale has died just three days after its birth at Geoje Sea World, a marine park in South Korea that has faced persistent criticism and is often referred to as a 'whale graveyard.' The facility confirmed the calf's death on June 10, stating that the mother beluga did not adequately care for her offspring.

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The calf did not receive enough colostrum from its mother.

According to Geoje Sea World, the calf failed to receive sufficient initial milk, which is crucial for the survival of beluga calves. Despite intensive 24-hour care, including artificial feeding by veterinarians and handlers every two hours, the young whale could not be saved and passed away on June 3.

This latest death brings the total number of cetacean fatalities at Geoje Sea World to 17 since it opened in April 2014. Previous incidents include the death of a baby bottlenose dolphin just ten days old in September 2024 and a 17-year-old bottlenose dolphin named 'Mark' in January, whose death only became public in April. The facility has long been criticized for its cramped tank environments, inadequate temperature control, and a focus on performance-based breeding practices.

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Beluga whales are a species for which maternal care and initial natural feeding are very important.

Concerns have also been raised about the park's continued breeding of dolphins despite a law prohibiting the import of new cetaceans into aquariums. Animal welfare groups have accused Geoje Sea World of failing to properly separate male and female dolphins, leading to continuous births. While animal rights organization Animal Welfare Awareness filed a complaint for violating the "Zoos and Aquariums Management Act," police dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence of intentional breeding. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is reportedly reviewing whether the breeding of existing animals falls under the prohibition of acquiring new dolphins.

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Thoroughly investigate whether the administrative procedures for the deceased individual were properly carried out.

Amidst these ongoing issues, Geoje Sea World is reportedly considering ceasing operations due to difficulties in running experience programs, with plans to move its nine beluga and bottlenose dolphins abroad. Animal rights activists argue this is insufficient, demanding the facility step down from its operations domestically and that the government establish responsible measures for the whales' care. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has announced plans for an on-site investigation into the recent death.

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The facility's continued neglect to separate males and females, leading to repeated births, is no different from having no intention to realize the purpose of the law in the field.