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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the authorities funds the upkeep of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker learned personally.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“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 shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so surprised by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She formed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting natures.

“One whale selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a background of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but in the past asserted: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and constant supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park suspected details of the death were shared to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and machinery.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In late September, Canada’s government official denied a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals belong in the sea, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reflect a more general incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities work to find a resolution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has proven most controversial. The future location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

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

Some experts say the idea of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the initiative, said the location will replicate the mental engagement and diet the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|