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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated debate over their future often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities blocked the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the authorities covers the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer discovered personally.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a role that involved earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“Eve chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both changed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales developed against a background of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park links to natural mortality, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any individual in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in early March following the death of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected information of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “significant manpower”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She backs demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual existence in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As the public, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks indicate a broader incorrect perception of the facts of life 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. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the possibility of a protected habitat represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible plan in the near future.

The project lead, director of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|