Not sure when exactly, but I believe it was within the last few months.
It's a real shame when you consider many people have very likely blindly passed this bill to prevent the export of ceteceans out of Russia, and therefore preventing any further captures. What this doesn't take into account though, is the individuals already in Russia who will now spend the rest of their lives there. Being with other orcas (either at Chimelong or another facility) would've been the best scenario.
From an article dated 20.06.23, not sure when it actually came into effect though:
The Eurasian Economic Commission's Board decided to introduce a prohibition on exporting a number of Cetacea mammals species from the Eurasian Economic Union's customs territory. The relevant amendments have been made to Decision No. 30 of the EEC Board dated April 21, 2015 "On Non-Tariff Regulation Measures".
"The Commission promptly addresses the existing challenges and takes steps aimed, in particular, at protecting the environment and preserving the population of rare animal species in the EAEU countries. In this case, we are talking about dolphins, whales, and porpoises," mentioned Vahagn Ghazaryan, Director of the EEC Customs Tariff and Non-Tariff Regulation Department.
He explained that currently Cetacea are being exported under a permission (certificate) issued by an authorized authority of the Union Member State. However, it is impossible to ensure a comprehensive control over the safety of the specified fauna items under the existing procedure.
The Decision adopted by the EEC Board will enable avoiding episodes similar to the one that had arisen several years ago and had been called a "whale prison": criminals wanted to sell animals to foreign oceanaria while pretending to fish out Cetacea for the alleged scientific and enlightenment purposes.
The decision shall come into effect after 30 calendar days have elapsed from the date of its official publication.
