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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the humans who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are held threatened to put them down unless the government covers the expense of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker learned personally.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that entailed earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with different personalities.

“One whale chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “They altered the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … receive far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in recent months following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park thought details of the death were leaked to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

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 bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued life in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reflect a wider lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has proven highly debated. The future facility, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers 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 reflects a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the facility will simulate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|