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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned debate over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the federal government covers the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something a former trainer learned first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a beluga trainer, a position that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. 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 rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a particular love for two female belugas with different natures.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each transformed the way I perceive relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park links to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but previously stated: “The whales … obtain far higher quality veterinary services and constant supervision than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the park in recent months following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park thought particulars of the death were shared to the news outlets and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any efforts to put down even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a request to send the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a ongoing situation in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing permit an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks reflect a wider misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has proven highly debated. The planned site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the initiative, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|