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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities blocked the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are highly cognitive mammals – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

Burgess spent several years as a whale caretaker, a job that involved earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Developing those bonds 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 trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the details and quirks in their personalities. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They transformed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales evolved against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far superior health care and around the clock supervision than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the death were leaked to the media and she was released not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a bid to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reveal a wider misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“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. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The future facility, which includes extensive space of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|