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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their destiny often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government covers the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something a former trainer learned personally.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that required earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the details and quirks in their characters. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale chose me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a context of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the cessation. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … obtain far higher quality health care and constant attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility believed particulars of the death were shared to the news outlets and she was fired not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She supports calls for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

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

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of food for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The future location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a feasible solution in the coming months.

The project lead, director of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales get from specialists, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|