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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their future often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government covers the expense of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, intellectual tasks and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive creatures – something Kristy Burgess discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so amazed by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with different temperaments.

“Eve chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and around the clock attention than any human in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park thought particulars of the death were shared to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a proposal to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that whales belong in the sea, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a more general misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a solution, proposals have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain positive that it could eventually represent a permanent resolution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|