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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government funds the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and group interactions point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a beluga trainer, a position that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

“Eve chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a background of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her tenure at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which activists say reflects the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the cessation. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but previously asserted: “The whales … obtain far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in early March following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park suspected particulars of the incident were shared to the press and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s threat to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense personnel”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be removed right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing existence in confinement and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing approve an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a more general incorrect perception of the facts of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has proven most controversial. The future site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable solution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable solution in the coming months.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|