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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been carefully observed by the people who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government funds the cost of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are remarkably smart animals – something one caretaker discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for two female belugas with opposing personalities.

“One whale selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which activists say reflects the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past asserted: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and 24/7 care than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in recent months following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility suspected details of the death were disclosed to the press and she was released not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a request to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the request would have meant a ongoing situation in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would continue the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reveal a wider lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials attempt to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A proposed refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has proven highly debated. The future location, which includes a large area of protected cove, is not yet built. Advocates remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a protected habitat represents a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable plan in the short term.

The project lead, director of the initiative, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|