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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the people who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the authorities pays for the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, intellectual tasks and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker observed personally.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a role that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so astounded by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Each transformed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales progressed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far better medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park believed details of the death were leaked to the press and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the facility’s threat to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, trucks and machinery.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

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

“Granting the proposal would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks indicate a broader misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has proven contentious. The future facility, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the possibility of a protected habitat reflects a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a viable plan in the coming months.

An official, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|