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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive 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 closest to the whales say the intense debate over their future often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the people who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government funds the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions point to they are remarkably smart creatures – something one caretaker observed directly.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a job that required gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so surprised by the subtleties and unique traits in their dispositions. She formed a particular love for two female belugas with different temperaments.

“Eve selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They altered the way I view bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past asserted: “The whales … obtain far superior health care and constant care than any individual in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility suspected particulars of the death were leaked to the press and she was fired not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s threat to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be removed right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official denied a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that whales should be in the wild, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks indicate a wider lack of awareness of the realities of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has been contentious. The future facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

An official, head of the plan, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|