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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been carefully observed 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 Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government covers the cost of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart mammals – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that involved gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

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

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales developed against a context of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and around the clock care than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in recent months following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park suspected details of the incident were shared to the press and she was released soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued life in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the official stated. “As society, we know that whales should be in the sea, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reveal a wider misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas born in captivity.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of food for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a permanent resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the prospect of a refuge represents a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, head of the plan, said the facility will replicate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|