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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the authorities pays for the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer learned directly.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that involved building relationships of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency 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 open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different personalities.

“One whale selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

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

During her tenure at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but previously claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and 24/7 attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park suspected information of the death were leaked to the media and she was fired soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a proposal to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a ongoing situation in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements indicate a wider misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, proposals have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A proposed protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has proven most controversial. The prospective site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat represents a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible solution in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the plan, said the facility will replicate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|