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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a disagreement between a shuttered park, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated controversy over their fate often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are kept threatened to end their lives unless the authorities funds the cost of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that request, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess observed directly.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a role that required gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so surprised by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for two female belugas with opposing natures.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales developed against a background of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better health care and 24/7 supervision than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was fired from the park in early March following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the park thought particulars of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

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

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

“Allowing the request would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a wider misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely 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 straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities work to find a answer, ideas have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A planned protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The planned facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

An official, leader of the initiative, said the facility will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|