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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a shuttered park, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the people who see them each day.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the authorities funds the upkeep of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer discovered directly.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“One whale selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “They changed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far superior 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 facility in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility suspected particulars of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to put down even a one beluga would require “significant manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to export the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a wider misunderstanding of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of food for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The future facility, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could in time represent a sustainable resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge represents a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the initiative, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|