It may be about lineage. Rules governing breeding programs in zoo's have strict requirements to prevent inbreeding:
> all five of the transported whales’ mothers are from this stock, although it’s unclear where their fathers came from.
Lack of documented heritage would be a red flag for any official breeding program.
No- it's about federal power.
The department making the rules likely wouldn't have any federal jurisdiction over any offspring, as they'd be privately owned, and would not be "imported wildlife." They do, however, have (an absurd & abusive amount of) power over the initial import permits.
At least that's the "loophole" that has allowed all other marine mammal exhibits to remain open, even after their capture has been illegal for decades.
Beluga whales are not a threatened species, captive breeding programs are not necessary to maintain the population.
If the goal is to reduce the overall number of cetaceans in captivity, breeding more of them directly goes against that.
I don't understand this restriction. Honestly the entire endeavour of taking n animal and reducing its movement by a two or three orders of magnitude looks extremely cruel on its own face.
But, if you're going to do it then why aren't they allowed to breed in captivity?