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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their fate often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the authorities funds the cost of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive mammals – something one caretaker discovered personally.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say reflects the substandard environment in which they were housed.

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

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and 24/7 supervision than any human in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in early March following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected details of the death were leaked to the media and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any attempts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

She advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a request to export the whales to China.

“To approve the application would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an relocation that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, ideas have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The planned location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the possibility of a refuge represents a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the near future.

The project lead, director of the initiative, said the facility will replicate the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|