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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their future often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the people who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are kept warned to end their lives unless the federal government pays for the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive creatures – something a former trainer observed first-hand.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that involved building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a deep bond for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

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

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far superior medical attention and constant supervision than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in early March following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the incident were shared to the media and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant personnel”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to export the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in good conscience authorize an relocation that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reveal a wider incorrect perception of the realities of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Indigenous peoples.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has proven most controversial. The planned facility, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the short term.

An official, director of the plan, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|