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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government pays for the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and communal behavior suggest they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker discovered directly.

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

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

“Eve accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They altered the way I view connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the cessation. “Structural materials is falling apart from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a request for comment, but previously stated: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and around the clock care than any person in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in recent months following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park thought information of the death were leaked to the media and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in despair. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and machinery.

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

She supports demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a request to export the whales to China.

“To approve the application would have meant a perpetual life in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that marine mammals are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reveal a broader misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The planned location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable answer for a number of the whales.

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

Some experts say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

The project lead, leader of the initiative, said the location will simulate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|