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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the people who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the authorities covers the expense of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges 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 job that involved gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so surprised by the details and unique traits in their characters. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with different temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number 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 public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not reply to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far superior health care and 24/7 attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park believed details of the death were leaked to the press and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

“It cannot happen in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reflect a wider lack of awareness of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of food for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent solution for eight of the whales.

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

Others say the idea of a refuge represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

An official, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and diet the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|