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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the authorities funds the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive mammals – something one caretaker observed personally.

Burgess spent three years as a beluga trainer, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with different natures.

“Eve chose me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s interaction with the whales developed against a context of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and around the clock attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in recent months following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility suspected information of the incident were leaked to the press and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any plans to put down even a individual beluga would require “considerable personnel”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be taken immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

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

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a broader misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a answer, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The future site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

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

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the near future.

The project lead, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|