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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the people who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to end their lives unless the government funds the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed personally.

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

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for two female belugas with different personalities.

“One whale chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each transformed the way I perceive connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her tenure at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … get far superior medical attention and constant attention than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility suspected details of the incident were shared to the news outlets and she was released shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be removed right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

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

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, ideas have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The planned location, which includes a large area of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a permanent resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a refuge reflects a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|