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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned debate over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near the famous falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the government covers the upkeep of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive animals – something a former trainer learned directly.

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

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their dispositions. She cultivated a particular love for two female belugas with opposing natures.

“Eve chose me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and constant care than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in recent months following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility suspected particulars of the death were disclosed to the press and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any attempts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense personnel”, trucks and machinery.

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

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

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a ongoing existence in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a more general lack of awareness of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A proposed refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has been highly debated. The future location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a refuge represents a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible approach in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, leader of the initiative, said the location will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|