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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their future often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government funds the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive creatures – something a former trainer discovered personally.

Burgess spent three years as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She cultivated a deep bond for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“One whale selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “They altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales developed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park links to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and constant care than any individual in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in early March following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility believed particulars of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She supports demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official stated. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an export that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of food for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The planned facility, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible solution in the short term.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will simulate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|