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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their destiny often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been carefully observed by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the government pays for the upkeep of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

She spent three years as a beluga trainer, a job that involved building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the start, 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 extraordinary and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility links to age-related causes, but which campaigners say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and around the clock attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park suspected details of the incident were shared to the media and she was fired soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a proposal to export the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a ongoing life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As Canadians, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks indicate a wider misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

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

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has proven highly debated. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|