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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are kept threatened to end their lives unless the authorities covers the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are remarkably smart creatures – something a former trainer discovered personally.

Burgess spent three years as a whale caretaker, a role that involved building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“One whale selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each altered the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results 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 take pieces and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

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

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park thought details of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was let go soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official rejected a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual life in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have endured.”

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

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a answer, suggestions have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Advocates remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|