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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept threatened to end their lives unless the government covers the expense of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker observed first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that entailed building relationships of the marine predators.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

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

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

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

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park links to expected lifespan, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far better medical attention and constant attention than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility thought details of the incident were leaked to the press and she was fired soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any efforts to put down even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

“It’s impossible in hell the staff would ever do it,” she said.

She advocates for requests for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an relocation that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has proven contentious. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for a number of the whales.

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

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable solution in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the initiative, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|