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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated controversy over their destiny 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 export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the federal government covers the expense of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers 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 learned first-hand.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a job 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 outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a deep bond for two female belugas with different personalities.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the cessation. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and around the clock care than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in early March following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility believed details of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “significant manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In recent months, the nation’s government official denied a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a perpetual life in confinement and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official stated. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reveal a wider lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A suggested protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has proven most controversial. The planned site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the possibility of a refuge indicates a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable solution in the short term.

The project lead, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|