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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned discussion over their fate often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the humans who see them each day.

After the Canadian government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the government covers the cost of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent animals – something one caretaker discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that involved gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a context of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far superior veterinary services and constant supervision than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were disclosed to the press and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant personnel”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She backs calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official denied a bid to export the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual existence in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an relocation that would prolong the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reveal a wider lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities work to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A planned sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The planned facility, which includes a large area of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a permanent 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 “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the coming months.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|