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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their future often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the cost of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive creatures – something a former trainer discovered directly.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, 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 even so surprised by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She formed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing natures.

“One whale selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier claimed: “The whales … obtain far higher quality health care and around the clock attention than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park believed information of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be taken right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, Canada’s government official rejected a proposal to export the whales to China.

“To approve the application would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that marine mammals belong in the wild, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an relocation that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

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

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities work to find a resolution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The planned site, which includes a large area of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales get from trainers, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|