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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities disallowed the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held threatened to put them down unless the government funds the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that request, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart animals – something Kristy Burgess learned first-hand.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She cultivated a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand 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 pick it up and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far superior veterinary services and around the clock attention than any individual in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility believed details of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “significant personnel”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In recent months, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation 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 realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has proven contentious. The planned facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a sustainable answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

An official, head of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|