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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming small “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned debate over their destiny often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the federal government pays for the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are remarkably smart creatures – something a former trainer observed personally.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a role that involved building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing natures.

“One whale selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which activists say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand effects of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier claimed: “The whales … obtain far superior health care and around the clock attention than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in early March following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought particulars of the death were shared to the media and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and machinery.

“There’s no way in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

She backs requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s government official turned down a bid to send the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a ongoing life in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks indicate a more general misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a resolution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a permanent solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible solution in the short term.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the location will simulate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|