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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense discussion over their future often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the federal government blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the government funds the expense of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are remarkably smart animals – something one caretaker discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a job that involved building relationships of the aquatic animals.

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

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She developed a particular love for two female belugas with different natures.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a background of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say points to the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … receive far superior health care and constant attention than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in recent months following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park believed particulars of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was released not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any plans to put down even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and machinery.

“It cannot happen in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to export the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience approve an relocation that would prolong the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments reveal a broader lack of awareness of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, ideas have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A suggested refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term answer 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 untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a protected habitat reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the facility will replicate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from trainers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|