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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned debate over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to end their lives unless the government covers the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills indicate they are remarkably smart animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with different natures.

“One whale selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a context of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the public 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 maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility thought information of the incident were shared to the press and she was let go soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable personnel”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the application would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would continue the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a wider incorrect perception of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has been most controversial. The future site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent solution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the plan, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|