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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government funds the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and group interactions indicate they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed building relationships of the marine predators.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She developed a special affection for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better health care and 24/7 care than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility suspected particulars of the death were disclosed to the media and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the application would have meant a perpetual life in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the sea, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reflect a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a answer, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A suggested refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The future site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable answer for some of the whales.

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

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable plan in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|