STONINGTON, Ct. — Beluga whales at a Connecticut aquarium were recently treated to a private performance by a hip-hop violinist and they appeared captivated.
The Mystic Aquarium posted a video on Facebook of the belugas – Juno, Kela, and Natasha – staring intently as violinist Big Lux played a tune.
In the caption, the aquarium wrote that this type of enrichment is great for animals and humans alike.
The aquarium says animal enrichment can come in many forms, from a physical object to music.
“If they choose to watch/listen, music is a visual and sound-based enrichment for the belugas,” the aquarium told The E.W. Scripps Company. “It also allows them to interact with guests in a different way.”
The facility says it has been inviting musicians to play their instruments for the animals for the past few weeks.