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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the struggling facility near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government covers the cost of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and social skills point to they are highly cognitive animals – something a former trainer discovered personally.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that required 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 wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. 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 nuances and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing natures.

“One whale selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They transformed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a context of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her tenure at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality veterinary services and around the clock supervision than any individual in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in the spring following the death of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility believed information of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

She backs calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a request to export the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks indicate a broader incorrect perception of the facts of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A planned sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has been contentious. The prospective facility, which includes extensive space of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

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

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the near future.

The project lead, leader of the initiative, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|