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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming small “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to end their lives unless the government funds the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent animals – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so astounded by the details and quirks in their personalities. She formed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“Eve selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with fragments in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier claimed: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in early March following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected information of the death were shared to the press and she was fired soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “significant manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be taken promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s government official rejected a proposal to send the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a perpetual life in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an relocation that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reveal a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent answer for some of the whales.

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

Others say the prospect of a refuge reflects a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the facility will replicate the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|