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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the government covers the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are highly cognitive mammals – something one caretaker learned personally.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that involved gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales developed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which advocates say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a request for comment, but previously claimed: “The whales … receive far superior veterinary services and constant supervision than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the park thought details of the death were leaked to the press and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be taken right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a wider incorrect perception of the realities of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers work to find a solution, proposals have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for local populations.

A planned sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has proven contentious. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a sustainable answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a refuge indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the location will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|