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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the government covers the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something a former trainer learned first-hand.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. 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 wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales progressed against a context of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and navigate with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but previously claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and around the clock care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park thought information of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

“It’s impossible in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

She advocates for calls for the whales to be taken promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As society, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reflect a more general misunderstanding of the circumstances of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be highly debated. The future facility, which includes a large area of protected cove, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

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

Different voices say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the facility will simulate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|