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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their future often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government covers the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer observed first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that involved building relationships of the marine predators.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different natures.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They transformed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

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

During her tenure at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and move about with fragments in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but previously stated: “The whales … get far higher quality veterinary services and constant supervision than any individual in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in early March following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought details of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In recent months, the nation’s government official turned down a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an transfer that would continue the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a more general incorrect perception of the realities of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance 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 officials work to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has been highly debated. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for some of the whales.

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

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a workable plan in the near future.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|