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

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their fate often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent creatures – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a role that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

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

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She formed a particular love for two female belugas with contrasting natures.

“One whale chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “They changed the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her three years at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and around the clock attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility suspected details of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant manpower”, vehicles and machinery.

“It’s impossible in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be taken right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s government official rejected a bid to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements indicate a wider misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a resolution, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has been contentious. The planned site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for a number of the whales.

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

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge represents a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|