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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated debate over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government covers the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are highly cognitive creatures – something one caretaker learned personally.

She spent three years as a beluga trainer, a position that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. 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 nevertheless surprised by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but earlier claimed: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and around the clock attention than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in recent months following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility believed particulars of the incident were leaked to the press and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “significant personnel”, trucks and machinery.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a proposal to send the whales to China.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As society, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a broader misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The prospective facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a feasible plan in the short term.

An official, director of the sanctuary project, said the site will simulate the mental engagement and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|