This is the moment little Veronic Antov thought she was going to be a whale's dinner.

The three-year-old looked like she was going to be gobbled up by a white beluga whale after pressing her nose up against the glass at an aquarium.

But they soon became firm friends - and the huge whale even gave her a 'kiss' from behind the glass screen.

The incredible interaction between the 11ft whale and Veronica was captured by the three-year-old's father Andrey Antov.

Veronica discovered the whale, named Juno, while on a visit to the Mystic Aquarium with her parents.

It was just before closing time when the pair met and an instant bond was established.

While Veronica ran along the stretch of the tank's window the whale happily shadowed her and nodded his head enthusiastically.


The 90 stone mammal also swam in circles and even 'kissed' Veronica by opening his mouth and putting it up to the window.

With her hands pressed firmly against the glass, Veronica stared in awe as the curious whale played with her for half an hour.

After witnessing the magical scenes, Andrey and his wife Magda bought a year's membership so they could come and visit again.


The aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut, US, is an hour and a half drive from the Antov's hometown of Oxford, Connecticut.

Andrey, 36, said: 'My wife and I thought it would be good to do 'educational' trips every weekend for our children.

'So we started taking Veronica and our one year old son Oliver to circuses, fairs, aquariums and zoos for example.


We decided to visit Mystic Aquarium one time and this was where Veronica met Juno.

'The interaction between the two was incredible and my wife and I were amazed at what we were seeing.

'It was really special for Veronica and she was understandably in awe of the huge whale.

'She decided to name him Alex for some reason, she is always coming up with funny names for animals.

'We send the photos to our families and all of them were very excited to see them and hear about it.


'Whenever we talk we always chat about the encounter between Veronica and the whale.'

Juno, who is identified by the grey circles around his eyes, arrived at the aquarium from the famous water park SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, US.

He is one of four beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium.

The nature photographer added: 'My wife and I have always wanted the kids to be close to nature and learn about different creatures, small and large.


'But I've certainly never seen an interaction like this in my life before - apart from in films like Free Willy.

'My little son Oliver was not so keen on Juno though, he was so afraid of him he ran away.'

Veronica added: 'I liked it when the whale was giving me kisses and playing with me, he was a bit silly though.'
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