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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government pays for the cost of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a position that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

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

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She formed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting natures.

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

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales developed against a background of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and around the clock attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in early March following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility believed information of the death were leaked to the press and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any efforts to put down even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

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

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a bid to send the whales to China.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an export that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reflect a more general misunderstanding of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The prospective location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a permanent answer for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|