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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their future often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the federal government covers the cost of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that request, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker observed directly.

She spent three years as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

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

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so surprised by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a context of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and constant care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were shared to the media and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to put down 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 advocates for calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued life in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has been most controversial. The planned site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Supporters remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

An official, head of the initiative, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|