A marine mammal expert who spent four years studying beluga whales in Russia claims the decision not to import them to Hong Kong may do more harm than good to the near-threatened species.
Marine mammal scientist Olga Shpak said Ocean Park bowed to political pressure by deciding not to exercise its option to import six wild-caught beluga whales from the Okhotsk Sea.
Shpak, who saw Ocean Park's Polar Adventure attraction where the whales were to live, said from Moscow: 'This decision is nothing to do with science. It is about politics.'
Shpak's study, verified by independent experts, concluded that 29 beluga whales could be taken annually over the next five years from the part of the sea she studied without adverse effects on the population.
However, at the end of August Ocean Park chairman Allan Zeman announced the park had dropped the plan amid opposition from animal welfare groups to wild capture.
'I am surprised public opinion went this way,' Shpak said. 'It's not my business, but I believe what happened is more about politics than a real reflection of the situation.'