A new date has been set for the flight of the beluga whales, after the initial travel date had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

Little Grey and Little White were due to fly from China to Iceland with Cargolux in April because of rough seas preventing ferry travel between Iceland’s mainland and Heimaey.

The two belugas are now due to fly on 19 June, embarking on a 6,000-mile journey from Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai, China to the large sanctuary in a natural bay in Heimaey, off the south coast of Iceland.

From Changfeng Ocean World, Little Grey and Little White will travel by road to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, fly to Keflavik Airport in Iceland, then drive to the ferry port for a 30-minute crossing, drive a short distance to Vestmannaeyjar.

Once at the sanctuary, they will be transferred to a landside facility and placed into a special care pool to be assessed following their journey.