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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the federal government blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the federal government pays for the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess observed directly.

She spent three years as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

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

“One whale chose me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not operate to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected information of the incident were shared to the media and she was released not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “significant personnel”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

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

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

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual life in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reflect a more general lack of awareness of the facts of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective location, which includes a large area of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

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

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the facility will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|