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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated controversy over their destiny often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess observed directly.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“One whale selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a context of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far superior medical attention and around the clock supervision than any individual in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in the spring following the death of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park believed details of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was released not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s threat to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s government official denied a proposal to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing approve an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reflect a wider lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A planned sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has been contentious. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a permanent answer for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the facility will replicate the mental engagement and diet 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|