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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming small “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

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

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their future often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept threatened to end their lives unless the federal government funds the upkeep of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess learned personally.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so astounded by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She cultivated a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“One whale selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a context of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility links to natural mortality, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality medical attention and constant supervision than any human in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in early March following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park believed information of the death were shared to the press and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a single beluga would require “significant personnel”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As Canadians, we know that belugas should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an relocation that would continue the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments reveal a more general lack of awareness of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, proposals have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The prospective location, which includes a large area of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the prospect of a refuge reflects a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|