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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the government pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are remarkably smart animals – something a former trainer observed directly.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

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

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the cessation. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and constant care than any human in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in recent months following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park thought particulars of the death were disclosed to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

“It cannot happen in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

She supports requests for the whales to be taken immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the sea, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks indicate a more general lack of awareness of the realities of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A planned protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The planned location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could in time represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the prospect of a refuge represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|