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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their future often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the people who see them each day.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the authorities covers the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that required building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with different personalities.

“Eve accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They changed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and 24/7 supervision than any human in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in early March following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility suspected particulars of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

“It’s impossible in hell the staff would ever do it,” she said.

She advocates for requests for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the sea, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an export that would prolong the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reveal a wider lack of awareness of the realities of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities work to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|