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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the struggling amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the authorities funds the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker learned personally.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a position that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. 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 extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve chose me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with fragments in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but earlier claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park thought particulars of the death were disclosed to the press and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official stated. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reflect a broader 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 existed solely in captivity and they will need human care 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 Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a resolution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. 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 food for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has been contentious. The planned location, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

An official, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|