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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the government funds the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are remarkably smart animals – something a former trainer observed directly.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a deep bond for two female belugas with contrasting natures.

“One whale chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but previously stated: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park thought information of the incident were leaked to the press and she was released not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in despair. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any efforts to put down even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official denied a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an export that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a answer, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The future site, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible solution in the short term.

The project lead, director of the initiative, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|