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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a disagreement between a shuttered park, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who see them each day.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government pays for the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

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

“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 open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales developed against a background of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected information of the death were leaked to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any plans to euthanize even a single beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

She advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reveal a wider misunderstanding of the facts of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has proven most controversial. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a long term solution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

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

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|