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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming small “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the heated discussion over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities disallowed the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the expense of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, problem solving and communal behavior suggest they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a job that involved building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a special affection for two female belugas with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the cessation. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and around the clock attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the death of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were leaked to the media and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a request to export the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a answer, ideas 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 northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be most controversial. The future facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Others say the possibility of a protected habitat indicates a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

An official, leader of the plan, said the facility will simulate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|