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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned debate over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government blocked the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the federal government covers the expense of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a position that entailed building relationships of the marine predators.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so surprised by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She cultivated a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They transformed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

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

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility links to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but in the past asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality medical attention and constant attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility thought information of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the request would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reveal a broader misunderstanding of the facts of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people 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 Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The planned location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a sustainable solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from trainers, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|