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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the people who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to end their lives unless the government covers the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so astounded by the subtleties and quirks in their dispositions. She formed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with different natures.

“Eve chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a context of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes effects of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but previously asserted: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and constant care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility thought particulars of the incident were shared to the media and she was let go not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

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

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the official stated. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reflect a wider misunderstanding of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which has received government approval, has proven highly debated. The future site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a long term solution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the idea of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|