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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned debate over their destiny often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the humans who see them each day.

After the federal government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept threatened to put them down unless the government pays for the expense of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer discovered personally.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a role that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the start, 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 magical and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for two female belugas with different personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the cessation. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality veterinary services and constant attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park believed particulars of the incident were leaked to the press and she was released not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any efforts to put down even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, trucks and specialized tools.

“It’s impossible in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

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

“To approve the request would have meant a ongoing life in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments indicate a wider misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has proven most controversial. The future location, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

An official, leader of the plan, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|