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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated debate over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are housed warned to end their lives unless the federal government pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer observed personally.

Burgess spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so amazed by the subtleties and quirks in their characters. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

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

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales developed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a inquiry, but in the past asserted: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and 24/7 care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in early March following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected details of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, trucks and machinery.

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

She backs demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an export that would continue the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments reflect a broader misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received official endorsement, has shown to be most controversial. The future site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a workable plan in the short term.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|