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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their fate often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the people who see them each day.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the federal government covers the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and social skills point to they are highly cognitive creatures – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent three years as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with different temperaments.

“One whale chose me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They altered the way I view connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a background of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

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

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but previously stated: “The whales … get far superior medical attention and 24/7 attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility thought details of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was released not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks reflect a wider incorrect perception of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

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

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A proposed refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The planned facility, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a permanent resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat indicates a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, head of the plan, said the location will replicate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales receive 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|