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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their fate often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held threatened to end their lives unless the government covers the cost of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something one caretaker learned directly.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with different personalities.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say reflects the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … obtain far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any person in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected information of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was released soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable manpower”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be taken right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official turned down a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience permit an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments reflect a broader misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The future location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, head of the plan, said the facility will simulate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|