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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned debate over their future often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government covers the cost of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive mammals – something a former trainer discovered personally.

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

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with opposing temperaments.

“One whale selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

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

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past asserted: “The whales … obtain far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in early March following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any plans to put down even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued life in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the sea, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reflect a more general misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities work to find a resolution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A proposed protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has proven most controversial. The prospective facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Supporters remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

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

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the facility will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|