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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept threatened to put them down unless the government pays for the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer observed personally.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a position that required building relationships of the marine predators.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting personalities.

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

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … get far better health care and constant attention than any individual in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park thought details of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be transferred immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reveal a more general misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has proven highly debated. The planned site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|