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BRAVING sub-zero temperatures, Russian diver Natalia Avseenko, 36, threw caution - and her clothes - to the wind to tame two beluga whales in a unique and controversial experiment. 
She stripped naked because marine experts believe beluga whales do not like the touch of artificial materials such as diving suits.
The taming of the whales took place in the Murmansk Oblast region in the far northwest of Russia at the shore of the White Sea near the Arctic Circle branch of the Utrish Dolphinarium.
An area of the sea is enclosed to stop whales and dolphins getting out and instructors tame the mammals before they are transported to dolphinariums around the world - a practice many animal conservationists consider cruel.
Belugas have a small hump on their heads used for echo-location and it was thought that there would be more chance of striking up a rapport with them without clothes as a barrier.
Ms Avseenko took the plunge as the water temperature hit -1.5C.
The average human could die if left in sub-zero temperature sea water for just five minutes.
However, Ms Avseenko is a yoga expert and used meditation techniques to hold her breath and stay under water for an incredible 10 minutes and 40 seconds.
