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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their fate often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the people who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive mammals – something one caretaker observed first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

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

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a particular love for two female belugas with different personalities.

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

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a background of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far better health care and constant care than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in early March following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park believed particulars of the incident were leaked to the press and she was released not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, trucks and specialized tools.

“There’s no way in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

She advocates for requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

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

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments reveal a more general misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a answer, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The future facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable answer for eight of the whales.

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

Different voices say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

An official, head of the plan, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain 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|