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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the expense of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that request, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker observed personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a special affection for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

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

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a inquiry, but earlier claimed: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and constant supervision than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park thought information of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a proposal to export the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals are meant for the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing approve an export that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reveal a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of life for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers work to find a answer, suggestions have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The future site, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the possibility of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

An official, director of the plan, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|