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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government disallowed the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the cost of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent animals – something one caretaker discovered directly.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that involved gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different personalities.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each altered the way I view bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales evolved against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her three years at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but previously asserted: “The whales … receive far better medical attention and around the clock care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in recent months following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the death were leaked to the media and she was released soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in despair. She says the facility’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a single beluga would require “significant manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She supports calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual life in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reflect a broader incorrect perception of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The future location, which includes a large area of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable resolution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from specialists, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|