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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to put them down unless the government covers the cost of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered personally.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a job that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very wary 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 highly intelligent, but she says she was even so amazed by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a deep bond for two female belugas with opposing temperaments.

“Eve selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales evolved against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far superior medical attention and 24/7 care than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park believed information of the death were leaked to the press and she was released soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

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

“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As society, we know that belugas belong in the sea, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a wider misunderstanding of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has been contentious. The planned location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible approach in the near future.

An official, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|