On August 12, six beluga whales from Russia arrived in Taiwan, and were sent onward to their new home-the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) in Pingtung County. The belugas, which come from the Arctic, had a difficult time coping with the intense heat during their transportation. Although the NMMBA had taken every precaution, spending a sum of money said to be "worthy of a head of state" and preparing a new residence "worthy of an imperial household," nonetheless after arriving in Taiwan the three female whales-Eva, Ruby, and Angel-faced health problems.

On the afternoon of the 16th, one-year-old Eva died as a result of inability to adapt and a worsening of her illnesses. This cast a shadow over the celebratory welcoming activities organized by the NMMBA and private corporate sponsors. Fortunately, both Ruby (whose white blood cell count was even higher than Eva's) and Angel (who had suffered mild eye injuries) recovered and began eating normally again thanks to the care of the NMMBA and Russian veterinarians who accompanied the whales to Taiwan. They have now safely made it past the dangerous phase of initial adjustment to their new environment.

A pathology report prepared by Chang Tsung-chou, a professor in the department of veterinary medicine at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, said that contributing factors in Eva's death included congestive heart disease, multiple localized hepatitis, and a swollen thyroid gland. It is possible that she was already ill even before coming to Taiwan, and the long journey and confined living space may have aggravated her problems, ultimately causing death.

Despite this sad incident, the NMMBA, in accordance with the contract previously reached with the private company that imported the belugas, caught the tail end of the summer vacation and formally unveiled the whales to the public on August 18, although only the three male whales could have been said to be in good health at that point. On that day, 20,000 visitors crowded into the aquarium, the highest number of any date this summer. Unfortunately, there was news that not long after the exhibit opened, the whales, frightened by the crowds, attempted to break through the gates of their pen.

In fact, as the environment has deteriorated and populations of wild animals are in increasing danger, in recent years the international community has been growing cooler to the idea of frequent purchases and displays of wild animals by zoos and aquariums. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with over 170 member states, places wild animals into one of four categories depending upon the size of their surviving populations and how endangered the species may be. Various controls and limitations on import, export, and trade are then imposed for the various categories. Protected animals may only be imported under certain conditions, such as for educational purposes or medical treatment, but not for profit.

The belugas imported from Russia by the NMMBA were born and grew up in the Arctic. These creatures can reach a length of five meters, and because of their delicate voices, they have been called "canaries of the sea." According to surveys, there are currently in excess of 100,000 belugas in the ocean. Although they are not among the most endangered animals, CITES has included them on Appendix II (which includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival), both because of their numbers and because of the growing problem of marine pollution.

The recent import of the whales from Russia to Taiwan, a cooperative venture between the private Hi-Scene World Enterprise Co. and the NMMBA, met international conservation regulations. The organizers not only received official permission from both countries, they had certification from CITES, and strictly followed all requirements for health and quarantine certificates, customs applications, and air transport procedures.

Nonetheless, captivity and transport still pose great risks for animals accustomed to the wild. Biologists estimate that for every animal sent to a zoo or aquarium, a large number of the animal's fellows have died. Taking birds for example, for each avian successfully captured in the wild, often as many as 20 die as a result of shock, injury in traps, or other factors. This is another reason why internationally there are increasingly severe restrictions on the import and export of wild animals.

Because of a rising demand for leisure activities in Taiwan, in recent years not only have a number of government- and privately-run aquariums been established, but zoos have continually endeavored to offer fresh new exhibits to pique the curiosity of potential visitors. In each case, this has been done under the rubric of "ecological education." Some compare the import of the belugas by the NMMBA to the introduction into Taiwan of koala bears and penguins by the Taipei City Zoo. The argument is that these can provide individuals who lack the wherewithal to travel abroad with a chance to see some of the most precious species on earth, achieving the goal of encouraging people to respect other forms of life. The presence of these specimens also provides opportunities in Taiwan for specialists to get a look at these creatures.

Unfortunately, this type of thinking is based entirely on what benefits people get from the process, without considering the welfare of the animals. Take for example problems of acclimation, adjustment to water temperature, and food requirements for the Arctic belugas. Although specialists have done their best to provide relevant information, is it really possible that the beluga whales will feel right at home having been brought such a long distance to a completely different climate and environment? Or has the large amount of manpower and material used to recreate their natural environment merely given them a "virtual reality"? This is something that deserves greater thought. Eva's death confirms that no matter how careful people may be, one can never be 100% certain that human intervention in animal life will not adversely affect the animals.

Although as a result of international realities it is impossible for CITES to fully ban trading in wild animals, in recent years animal rights activists have been increasingly calling for the elimination of zoos. They advocate that animals should be left to live and reproduce in their own natural environment. "On-site (or 'in-situ') conservation" is seen as most fitting the nature and interests of wild animals. Moreover, if through this concept people can recognize that protection of the larger environment is far more important than having a few star animals pampered in captivity, that is the only genuinely successful ecological education.

The dead can never be brought back to life, and now the question is how the surviving belugas can have the greatest educational impact in Taiwan. As for Eva, NMMBA chief Fang Lee-shing says that researchers will do an autopsy to study her structure, tissues, and pathology, so the NMMBA will have a better understanding of how to treat her fellow whales. The museum is also planning to have Eva taxidermically prepared and placed in an educational exhibit where citizens can observe and learn.

Amidst all the excitement and enthusiasm, when entering the NMMBA perhaps we can be a little more quiet and try to hear the sounds of the "canary of the sea." Only if we minimize our interference in their lives can these beluga whales, so far from home, rapidly adapt to their new abode in Taiwan.