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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the heated debate over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been carefully observed by the people who work with them regularly.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government covers the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a position that involved building relationships of the marine predators.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a background of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her time at the attraction, 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 park links to natural mortality, but which campaigners say reflects the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and 24/7 attention than any human in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected information of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a request to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments indicate a more general misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a solution, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has been most controversial. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge indicates a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the short term.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the facility will mimic the mental engagement and diet the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|