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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the people who work with them regularly.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the authorities pays for the cost of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker discovered personally.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so amazed by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a deep bond for two female belugas with opposing personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a context of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far superior health care and constant care than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park suspected details of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

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

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As the public, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an export that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a broader misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

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

Different voices say the prospect of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible solution in the coming months.

An official, director of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|