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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept threatened to put them down unless the government funds the expense of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior suggest they are remarkably smart mammals – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a position that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and quirks in their personalities. She formed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “They transformed the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility links to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer 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 inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … obtain far better health care and constant care than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in early March following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the park believed particulars of the death were leaked to the press and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to put down even a single beluga would require “immense personnel”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be taken right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

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

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official stated. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments indicate a more general misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has proven highly debated. The future facility, which includes a large area of protected cove, is not yet built. Advocates remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable answer for eight of the whales.

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

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|