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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the people who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to end their lives unless the federal government funds the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess observed personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“Eve selected me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a background of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple 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 campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but earlier asserted: “The whales … obtain far better veterinary services and around the clock attention than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in early March following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility thought information of the death were shared to the media and she was fired soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

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

In recent months, Canada’s government official denied a proposal to export the whales to China.

“To approve the application would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks indicate a wider lack of awareness of the facts of life for belugas born in captivity.

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers work to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has proven contentious. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the possibility of a protected habitat indicates a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a workable plan in the short term.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|