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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their destiny often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government covers the upkeep of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and group interactions indicate they are remarkably smart animals – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a whale caretaker, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

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

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with different temperaments.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier claimed: “The whales … get far better veterinary services and constant supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park thought details of the death were shared to the media and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “immense personnel”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess supports calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the application would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has been highly debated. The prospective location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable solution in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|