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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the sale of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept threatened to put them down unless the authorities covers the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker learned directly.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a role that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“One whale accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Concrete 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 chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far higher quality health care and constant attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility suspected particulars of the death were leaked to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the request would have meant a ongoing life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has proven most controversial. The planned facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the possibility of a protected habitat indicates a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

The project lead, director of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|