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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a shuttered park, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated debate over their future often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented 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 end their lives unless the government funds the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills point to they are remarkably smart animals – something a former trainer learned first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a job that involved gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, 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 very smart, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“Eve chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her three years at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but earlier claimed: “The whales … get far superior health care and constant attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in early March following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility thought details of the incident were leaked to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s threat to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred immediately from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In late September, Canada’s government official rejected a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual situation in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would continue the situation these belugas have experienced.”

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

“The public needs to grasp 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. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities work to find a answer, proposals have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has been highly debated. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the plan, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|