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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the federal government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the authorities pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker learned directly.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. 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 magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“Eve selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales developed against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better health care and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility suspected details of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was released shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

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

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in good conscience authorize an export that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks reflect a broader lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has proven most controversial. The future location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the short term.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the facility will replicate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|