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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned debate over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the cost of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive creatures – something one caretaker discovered directly.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

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

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so surprised by the details and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for two female belugas with different natures.

“One whale accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales developed against a background of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which activists say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier claimed: “The whales … get far better health care and constant attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any attempts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

She supports demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the official stated. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals belong in the wild, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a broader misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a resolution, ideas have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has proven highly debated. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a permanent solution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the idea of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible solution in the short term.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the facility will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|