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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a closed attraction, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated debate over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the people who work with them regularly.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the government pays for the expense of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess discovered personally.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that required earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a deep bond for two female belugas with opposing natures.

“Eve accepted me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each changed the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

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

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park links to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand results of the cessation. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better health care and around the clock attention than any human in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in early March following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park suspected details of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a request to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a broader misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The planned location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the prospect of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable plan in the near future.

An official, director of the plan, said the site will simulate the mental engagement and diet the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|