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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the humans who see them each day.

After the national authorities blocked the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government funds the expense of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a role that entailed building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She developed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting natures.

“One whale selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which activists say reflects the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and around the clock care than any individual in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in early March following the demise of a beluga, an ailing beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a request to send the whales to China.

“To approve the application would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks indicate a wider incorrect perception of the realities of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a answer, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A suggested protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has proven highly debated. The future site, which includes a large area of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” 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 feasible approach in the near future.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|