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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often overlooks 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 federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to end their lives unless the government pays for the upkeep of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess learned first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed building relationships of the aquatic animals.

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

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a background of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility links to natural mortality, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and 24/7 attention than any individual in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected information of the death were leaked to the press and she was released soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to put down even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual life in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A suggested refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The planned site, which includes a large area of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|