All living things on our planet should be given a normal life. Rather than being kept in cramped cages in circuses, majestic creatures like lions belong in the outdoors. The most intelligent aquatic creatures, such as beluga whales, thrive in the ocean. People, like them, require freedom.

And the photographs of two beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, below surely brighten your day. When they were released back into the water for the first time, they wore a big smile.

The lovely beluga whale pair was recorded in 2011 off the coast of Russia when still very young. Since then, the duo has performed at Chengfeng Ocean World, a Shanghai-based aquarium.

Little Grey and Little White were released into the ocean after 9 years in captivity, following a relocation process that took years to complete. The two were transported 6,000 kilometers to Iceland, where they would remain at the British charity Sea Life Trust’s Beluga Whale Sanctuary.

If you have any doubts about what freedom means, simply look at the whales’ big smiles throughout the move. They couldn’t keep their smiles from showing on their faces. They were being waved by the azure ocean. Is there a better option?

The Beluga Whale Refuge is an open-water sanctuary for Beluga Whales, allowing them to acclimate to the cooler Icelandic climate. Little Grey and Little White spent several months there before being released back into the ocean.

It wasn’t simple transporting two beluga whales. The duo each weights a bit more than a ton (2,000 pounds) and eats about 110 pounds of fish every day. Organizers will require specially specialized equipment, veterinarians, and a lot of water and ice to keep them clean during the trek.

Thankfully, everything went off without a hitch. Two cute beluga whales are happily frolicking in the water. It’s wonderful to be free!

H/T: Bored Panda