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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the Canadian government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the authorities funds the cost of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are remarkably smart animals – something Kristy Burgess observed personally.

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

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far better medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any human in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in early March following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant manpower”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a ongoing situation in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements indicate a more general lack of awareness of the facts of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a answer, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The planned facility, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable resolution for eight 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’ well-being.

Different voices say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

An official, director of the initiative, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|