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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their future often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the government covers the expense of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker learned personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary 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 characters. She cultivated a particular love for two female belugas with different personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each transformed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was fired from the park in recent months following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility thought details of the incident were shared to the press and she was released soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience authorize an export that would continue the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reveal a broader misunderstanding of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a answer, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for Indigenous peoples.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has proven contentious. The future location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the prospect of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

An official, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from trainers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|