The marine mammal entertainment industry has committed some of the worst atrocities against animals for our enjoyment, as outline in documentaries like The Cove and Blackfish.
However, thanks to the latter, which exploded the issue into mainstream consciousness after its 2013 release, many animals have been rescued from a cruel life of performing.
This includes two beluga whales who were rescued from Ocean World in Shanghai and moved to the world's first open water sanctuary.
Before being forced to perform tricks for fish, Little Grey and Little White had resided at a Russian research center.
However, their fortunes changed when the UK-based charity Sea Life Trust stepped in to rescue them and they are now swimming in open water for the first time in years.
Watch a news report on the pair's incredible journey to freedom below:
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Little Grey and Little White were due to be rescued to the sanctuary in July, however, the move was delayed after it was discovered that they had bacterial infections, Sea Life Trust revealed on Facebook.
The pair were moved around 9,656 kilometers (6,000 miles) to the sanctuary in Iceland after over a decade of performing, the Daily Mail reports.
Audrey Padgett, the manager of Sea Life Trust, said in the news report above: "It was complex and it took a lot of time but it was so worth it to see these girls out here."
The two whales had an incredible journey to their new home which involved them traveling on a lorry, then a Boeing 747-400ERF cargo aircraft, and lastly a harbor tugboat.
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The charity said they hope Little Grey and Little White will be the first whales to take up residence in the new sanctuary and that other parks will allow their whales to retire to a more natural environment too.
As the footage and pictures of the pair moving into their new home show, they were delighted by the move!
You can find out more about the Sea Life Trust's mission and sanctuaries here.