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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

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

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to end their lives unless the authorities funds the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer discovered directly.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. 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 even so amazed by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“One whale selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I understand relationships.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales developed against a context of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park links to age-related causes, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past claimed: “The whales … obtain far higher quality veterinary services and constant supervision than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected particulars of the death were leaked to the press and she was let go soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and machinery.

“There’s no way in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a request to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a continued existence in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reflect a more general misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has proven most controversial. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the near future.

An official, director of the initiative, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|