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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense controversy over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been carefully observed by the people who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government pays for the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and group interactions suggest they are remarkably smart animals – something one caretaker observed first-hand.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a deep bond for two female belugas with different temperaments.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Each changed the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

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

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and 24/7 care than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility believed information of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, vehicles and machinery.

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

Burgess supports calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s government official denied a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals should be in the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an relocation that would prolong the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reveal a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be highly debated. The future site, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

Charles Vinick, leader of the plan, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|