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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a shuttered park, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their future often fails to consider the individual traits 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 sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the government covers the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker discovered directly.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the subtleties and quirks in their characters. She formed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“One whale selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They transformed the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to natural mortality, but which activists say reflects the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a inquiry, but previously stated: “The whales … receive far better health care and constant supervision than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in recent months following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought particulars of the death were shared to the press and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

“It cannot happen in hell the staff would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual existence in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience approve an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reflect a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has proven contentious. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the short term.

An official, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|