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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

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

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the government pays for the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior indicate they are remarkably smart mammals – something one caretaker learned personally.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that required earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships 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 reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with different personalities.

“One whale selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I view connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but previously stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and 24/7 care than any individual in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility thought particulars of the incident were leaked to the press and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the park’s threat to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense manpower”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be removed right away from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that belugas should be in the wild, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience approve an export that would continue the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

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

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for local populations.

A planned sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The planned facility, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a permanent solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable plan in the short term.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|