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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to put them down unless the government funds the upkeep of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and group interactions point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious 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 very smart, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She formed a special affection for two female belugas with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I view bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say reflects the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far superior health care and 24/7 attention than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in early March following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park thought information of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was let go not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements indicate a more general incorrect perception of the facts of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a answer, proposals have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has been most controversial. The prospective facility, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could in time represent a permanent solution for a number of the whales.

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

Different voices say the idea of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

An official, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|