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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the people who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are held threatened 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 ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess observed directly.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She developed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I view bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far superior veterinary services and around the clock attention than any human in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the park in early March following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the park thought details of the death were shared to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant manpower”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In late September, the nation’s government official rejected a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales are meant for the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reflect a wider misunderstanding of the facts of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A proposed refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has proven contentious. The future site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|