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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated debate over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to put them down unless the authorities covers the cost of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and communal behavior suggest they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer observed first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that involved building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and quirks in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales developed against a background of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … get far better veterinary services and constant supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility believed details of the death were leaked to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in despair. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be transferred immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience authorize an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements indicate a broader misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a answer, ideas have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has proven contentious. The prospective location, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Others say the possibility of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible plan in the near future.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the facility will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|