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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense discussion over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government pays for the cost of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive creatures – something a former trainer discovered personally.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. 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 wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She formed a deep bond for a pair of whales with different natures.

“Eve selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a background of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier asserted: “The whales … obtain far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected details of the incident were shared to the media and she was let go not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She backs demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

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

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual life in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the official stated. “As society, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing approve an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments indicate a broader incorrect perception of the facts of existence for belugas born in captivity.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a answer, proposals have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A proposed refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has proven highly debated. The future location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge indicates a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable approach in the coming months.

An official, leader of the initiative, said the site will replicate the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|