Seoul, South Korea (AP) — A beluga whale named Bella has been living in a large tank at the Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, for almost a decade. The whale, which was captured in Russian waters and sold to the aquarium in 2013, spent her days entertaining visitors along with two male belugas, penguins, and seals.

Bella’s companions both died at the aquarium at young ages, prompting criticism from animal rights activists. After their deaths, the aquarium pledged to release Bella, but as of 2022, she is still on display and displaying signs of stereotypical stress behavior.

Lotte World Aquarium has assured that plans for Bella’s release are still in place, with a company spokesperson stating that Bella is currently undergoing training to prepare her for a natural sea environment. Some activists believe that there is no other place for her to stay, which is why she remains on display.

Marine biologists and animal rights organizations argue that beluga whales cannot thrive in captivity due to a lack of mental stimulation and inability to engage in natural behaviors. There is a push to inform the public about the plight of Bella and other captive whales and dolphins, and to call for more ethical treatment of these animals.

The practice of keeping cetaceans in captivity for tourist entertainment has become controversial, with growing calls to ban captive dolphin and whale attractions. Experts are advocating for the rescue and rehabilitation of whales like Bella, as seen in the successful relocation of two belugas to a sanctuary in Iceland from a Shanghai aquarium in 2020.

This situation adds to the ongoing global debate about the treatment of wild animals for human entertainment, particularly in East Asia, where commercial aquariums have been booming. As the discussion persists, animal rights activists and marine biologists remain hopeful and committed to the fight for protecting these majestic creatures.