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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been carefully observed by the people who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the federal government funds the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and group interactions suggest they are remarkably smart animals – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a deep bond for two female belugas with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a context of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but previously asserted: “The whales … obtain far superior health care and around the clock supervision than any person in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility believed details of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and machinery.

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, Canada’s government official rejected a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As the public, we know that belugas should be in the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reveal a more general incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a answer, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of sustenance for local populations.

A planned sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The future location, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

An official, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|