Scientist Natalia Avseenko swims naked with beluga whales in freezing water
36-year-old Russian scientist Natalia Avseenko is making a splash because of her penchant for ice-cold skinny dipping with beluga whales. Why is she doing this? The awesome photography alone could be enough of a reason.
The belugas swim in the Arctic Ocean’s 29º Fahrenheit waters, and if most people swam in it for 5-15 minutes, they’d be fish food. Natalia was able to stay in the freezing-cold waters for 10 minutes and 40 second with two whales named Matrena and Nilma, who are being tamed to be transported to aquariums around the world, a controversial practice for animal activists.
The Daily Mail reports that Natalia has been physically training herself using yoga and meditation so she could withstand the harsh conditions to domesticate the whales. She also swims naked, as an extra measure to help her befriend the mammals. Belugas are thought to be turned off by the smell and touch of the synthetic materials found in diving suits.
Humans love seeing beluga’s up-close and personal because the muscles in their face allow them to form expressions we identify with.
