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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming small “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated controversy over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government covers the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior suggest they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer observed personally.

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

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different temperaments.

“One whale chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park links to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the cessation. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and 24/7 care than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in early March following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility believed particulars of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any plans to put down even a single beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

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

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a request to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reflect a wider incorrect perception of the facts of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent resolution for a number of the whales.

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

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the near future.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|