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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the people who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions suggest they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer learned personally.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a job that involved gaining confidence of the marine predators.

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

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and unique traits in their dispositions. She cultivated a deep bond for two female belugas with contrasting natures.

“One whale chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which advocates say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and around the clock care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in early March following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected particulars of the incident were shared to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant manpower”, trucks and machinery.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official denied a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments indicate a broader incorrect perception of the facts of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The future facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable plan in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the initiative, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales get from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|