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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the authorities pays for the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer discovered personally.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a position that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting personalities.

“One whale selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They changed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the cessation. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but in the past asserted: “The whales … get far superior health care and around the clock supervision than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought information of the death were shared to the press and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

She supports demands for the whales to be removed promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In recent months, Canada’s government official denied a request to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a ongoing life in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that marine mammals should be in the ocean, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing permit an relocation that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement 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 ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the prospect of a protected habitat represents a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable approach in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales get from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|