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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been carefully observed by the people who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the authorities covers the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker observed first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and quirks in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“One whale chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “They altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a context of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes effects of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a inquiry, but in the past asserted: “The whales … receive far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in early March following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought information of the incident were shared to the news outlets and she was released shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to put down even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, the nation’s government official denied a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an export that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a more general misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a answer, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be most controversial. The planned location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the prospect of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible solution in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|