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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated controversy over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and group interactions point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess learned personally.

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

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a particular love for two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

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

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a context of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park links to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools 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 jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far better health care and around the clock care than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in early March following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility thought details of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was let go soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a bid to export the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a wider lack of awareness of the realities of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has proven most controversial. The planned facility, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the possibility of a refuge indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the plan, said the facility will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|