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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the Canadian government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the government pays for the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer learned personally.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“One whale chose me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and around the clock care than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was fired from the park in recent months following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the death were shared to the press and she was let go not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to put down even a individual beluga would require “significant personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

She backs demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to export the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would continue the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a wider lack of awareness of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a answer, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A planned protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

An official, head of the initiative, said the location will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|