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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned debate over their future often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been carefully observed by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to end their lives unless the federal government funds the expense of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so surprised by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with different temperaments.

“Eve chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a background of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in early March following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park suspected details of the death were leaked to the press and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to put down even a one beluga would require “significant manpower”, equipment and specialized tools.

“It cannot happen in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

She backs requests for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a request to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a perpetual situation in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an export that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reflect a more general lack of awareness of the facts of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has proven most controversial. The prospective facility, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

The project lead, leader of the plan, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|