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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a closed attraction, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their fate often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government pays for the expense of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are remarkably smart creatures – something a former trainer learned first-hand.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that involved building relationships of the marine predators.

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“One whale chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier asserted: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and around the clock supervision than any human in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in the spring following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought particulars of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future 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 “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to put down even a single beluga would require “considerable personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

“It cannot happen in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s government official denied a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a more general incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The future site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

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

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

An official, leader of the plan, said the facility will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|