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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a tussle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been carefully observed by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the government covers the cost of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive creatures – something one caretaker discovered directly.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a position that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the subtleties and quirks in their characters. She formed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

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

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a background of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far better health care and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility thought information of the death were disclosed to the media and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any efforts to put down even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In late September, the nation’s government official rejected a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals belong in the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would prolong the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks indicate a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a resolution, ideas have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of food for Inuit communities.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has been contentious. The prospective facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for a number of the whales.

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

Others say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a workable plan in the coming months.

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