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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the federal government pays for the cost of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker discovered personally.

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

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their dispositions. She formed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with different personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They transformed the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales developed against a context of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a inquiry, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far better veterinary services and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the death were shared to the press and she was fired soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

She backs demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

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

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that marine mammals belong in the wild, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a wider incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has proven highly debated. The future site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

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

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

The project lead, head of the plan, said the facility will replicate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|