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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

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

After the federal government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered personally.

Burgess spent three years as a beluga trainer, a position that involved gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different temperaments.

“One whale selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier asserted: “The whales … get far superior medical attention and around the clock attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park believed particulars of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s threat to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

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

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

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the sea, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reveal a broader lack of awareness of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials attempt to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of food for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain positive that it could ultimately represent a sustainable resolution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the possibility of a protected habitat represents a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the location will simulate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|