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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the government pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills point to they are remarkably smart animals – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that involved earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. 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 astounded by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the facility links to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and 24/7 attention than any person in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in early March following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park thought information of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a ongoing situation in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official stated. “As society, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an export that would prolong the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reflect a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats 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 ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a answer, proposals 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 important part of nourishment for local populations.

A proposed protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received official endorsement, has proven highly debated. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable solution in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|