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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the humans who see them each day.

After the national authorities disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the federal government covers the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills point to they are remarkably smart mammals – something one caretaker discovered directly.

She spent three years as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

“One whale chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They changed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a background of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

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

The facility did not operate to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and constant care than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility suspected particulars of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued life in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a broader misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The planned location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible solution in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|