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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense controversy over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are held threatened to put them down unless the authorities pays for the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess learned first-hand.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that involved building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

“Eve chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not operate to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the cessation. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … obtain far superior health care and around the clock attention than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility believed particulars of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was released not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

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

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks reflect a broader misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has been highly debated. The planned location, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|