Like have a protrusion of the nose, like the horns of unicorns Narwhals, also called narwhals, are quite sensitive compared to most marine animals and are among the most difficult species to catch.

Agree The reason why we can’t see narwhals in aquariums and at the same time: what makes them so special and mysterious?

The first attempt to introduce a narwhal into an aquarium was made in 1969.

The New York Aquarium on Coney Island managed to capture a young narwhal named Umiak. The name comes from the species commonly used to hunt species in the high Arctic. igloo canoes given with inspiration.

Umiak, a calf, was captured by the Eskimos after his mother was killed She was placed in a tank next to a female white whale.

This creature had a horn structure, just like a unicorn. Body length excluding horn This was between 3.95 and 5.5 meters. The staff gave Umiak milk mixed with chopped oysters every day, and it seemed the creature was satisfied.

But despite all efforts to protect his health, Umiak remains He succumbed to pneumonia as soon as he completed his freshman year.

The second attempt to capture narwhals in captivity was made a year later by the Vancouver Aquarium in Canada.

Murray Newman, director of the aquarium, drawing public attention to elusive species and took action to help protect them, leading a team on a narwhal hunt.

This two-week hunt around Baffin Island ended in failure. Newman, who doesn’t give up this time He returned to the region for a hunt that lasted 3 weeks. but he returned again empty-handed.

Ultimately, Newman was a young Inuit hunter in Grise Fiord, Canada. buying a male and young narwhal He succeeded. This creature was named Keela Luguk, based on the word “qilalugaq”, the name of narwhal in some Inuktitut dialects.

Keela Luguk was taken to the Vancouver Aquarium as requested.

Vancouver Aquarium

Then the facility next to this being, two different female narwhals and three calves caught he also added. Although this success was initially highly praised by the media and the public, it unfortunately deteriorated quickly.

Three calves died about a month after being confined in the aquarium, and two female narwhals died two months afterward. This being the case, public reaction began to increase and the mayor said: Calls to return Keela Luguk to nature made. Newman, however, disagreed.

Unfortunately, what was feared happened and the narwhal named Keela Luguk died in a short time.

In fact, these creatures are extremely sensitive. Teeth have about 10 million nerve endings; a system that detects even the smallest changes in pressure, temperature and particle gradients. sensory function sees.

Furthermore, studies on narwhals have shown that these creatures are extremely sensitive to the noise created by humans. Even a single ship passes around them They play an important role in disrupting the route.

As a result, after these two failed attempts, it seems impossible for the world to confine a narwhal in an aquarium. Again, thanks to documentaries like BlackFish, audiences have become aware of narwhals and similar creatures in recent years. are not removed from their natural habitat He seems very aware of it.

Our other content that may interest you: