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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their destiny often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government covers the cost of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker observed first-hand.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that entailed earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with different temperaments.

“One whale chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a context of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with fragments in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality veterinary services and constant supervision than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park believed particulars of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a bid to send the whales to China.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing approve an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks reflect a more general incorrect perception of the facts of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a answer, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The future site, which includes a large area of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a sanctuary indicates a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and diet the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|