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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 sizeable but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their destiny often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the government covers the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker learned directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a job that involved building relationships of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the outset, 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 wonderful and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She developed a special affection for a pair of whales with different personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

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

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with fragments in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a inquiry, but earlier asserted: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and constant care than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in the spring following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought particulars of the incident were leaked to the press and she was let go soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an relocation that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks indicate a more general misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely 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 easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A planned protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The planned location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the prospect of a refuge reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a viable approach in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the location will replicate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|