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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their future often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the people who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are held threatened to put them down unless the federal government pays for the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker learned directly.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that required earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the subtleties and unique traits in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with different personalities.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They changed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a context of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality medical attention and around the clock supervision than any person in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in recent months following the death of a beluga, an ailing beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected details of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience approve an relocation that would continue the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a broader misunderstanding of the facts of living conditions 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 remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A planned protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has proven highly debated. The future facility, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term solution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the possibility of a protected habitat reflects a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable approach in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the plan, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|