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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a closed attraction, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the government covers the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills indicate they are remarkably smart mammals – something one caretaker observed directly.

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

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“One whale selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship 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 killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes effects of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality medical attention and constant attention than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in early March following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the park suspected information of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to put down even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official denied a proposal to send the whales to China.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a continued situation in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As the public, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks reflect a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a resolution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a sustainable resolution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the idea of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|