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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive creatures – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

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

“Eve accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Burgess’s interaction with the whales evolved against a context of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far better veterinary services and 24/7 care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park suspected particulars of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a request to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing situation in confinement and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As society, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an relocation that would prolong the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a more general misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a resolution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The future facility, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable answer for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the possibility of a protected habitat indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|