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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been caught in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned controversy over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the Canadian government blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government covers the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something one caretaker observed directly.

Burgess spent three years as a whale caretaker, a position that required gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so amazed by the details and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing natures.

“Eve chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and constant attention than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in the spring following the death of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park believed particulars of the death were leaked to the press and she was released soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future 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 leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to put down even a single beluga would require “significant manpower”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s government official denied a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an export that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reflect a broader lack of awareness of the realities of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a resolution, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The planned facility, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain optimistic that it could in time represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible approach in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|