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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the authorities pays for the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their dispositions. She cultivated a deep bond for two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each changed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … obtain far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in recent months following the death of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility believed particulars of the death were disclosed to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s warning to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s government official turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reflect a broader misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, ideas have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of food for Inuit communities.

A planned protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a permanent resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|