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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the federal government covers the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and group interactions indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something a former trainer learned directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that entailed earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, 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 wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and unique traits in their characters. She formed a special affection for two female belugas with different personalities.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far superior veterinary services and constant supervision than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected information of the death were leaked to the press and she was fired soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She backs calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

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

“Allowing the application would have meant a ongoing existence in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a more general misunderstanding of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a answer, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A planned protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The prospective site, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a feasible solution in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the facility will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|