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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their destiny often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are held threatened to end their lives unless the government funds the cost of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

She spent three years as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their dispositions. She formed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both transformed the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s connection with the whales developed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and 24/7 care than any human in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility suspected details of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was let go not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs requests for the whales to be taken promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a request to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in confinement and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that marine mammals belong in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a broader misunderstanding of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a answer, ideas have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A planned protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The future facility, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a sustainable answer for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary indicates a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|