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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities blocked the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the authorities funds the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and group interactions suggest they are highly cognitive mammals – something a former trainer learned first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She formed a deep bond for two female belugas with different temperaments.

“One whale selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each altered the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a context of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The facility did not open to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far better medical attention and around the clock attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in recent months following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected details of the incident were shared to the press and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in despair. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.

“There’s no way in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In recent months, the nation’s government official turned down a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual life in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the sea, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reveal a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“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 comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers work to find a answer, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of food for Inuit communities.

A suggested protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The future facility, which includes extensive space of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|