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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their fate often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government funds the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and communal behavior suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer observed directly.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open 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 nuances and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“One whale selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her three years at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to natural mortality, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an ailing beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected particulars of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any plans to put down even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a request to export the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an export that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has been highly debated. The future facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain optimistic that it could eventually 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 “only an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, leader of the initiative, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|