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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a tussle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the government covers the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are highly cognitive mammals – something a former trainer learned directly.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed building relationships of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“One whale chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which activists say reflects the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far superior medical attention and around the clock supervision than any individual in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in early March following the death of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park believed details of the death were leaked to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a proposal to export the whales to China.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing situation in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience authorize an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reveal a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a answer, proposals have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A suggested refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The future location, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term solution 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 experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the possibility of a refuge represents a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|