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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their future often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the federal government pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and communal behavior suggest they are highly cognitive mammals – something one caretaker discovered personally.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. 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 nevertheless surprised by the details and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She formed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“One whale accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Both altered the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales evolved against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far superior veterinary services and around the clock care than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility believed particulars of the incident were leaked to the press and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in despair. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She backs demands for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a request to export the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience permit an export that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reflect a more general lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A planned sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be highly debated. The future site, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Supporters remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

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

Different voices say the idea of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|