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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a shuttered park, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government funds the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive mammals – something one caretaker learned personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that required building relationships of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing temperaments.

“Eve selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales developed against a context of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park links to age-related causes, but which advocates say points to the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far better medical attention and constant care than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in the spring following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the incident were shared to the media and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, trucks and machinery.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be removed right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that belugas should be in the wild, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A planned protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective facility, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Advocates remain optimistic that it could in time represent a permanent solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable solution in the short term.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the facility will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|