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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits 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 national authorities blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the government pays for the cost of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a job that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those bonds 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 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 quirks in their characters. She cultivated a deep bond for a pair of whales with different natures.

“One whale chose me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They altered the way I view connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in early March following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park believed particulars of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any attempts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “immense personnel”, trucks and machinery.

“It’s impossible in hell the staff 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 dwindling staff.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing situation in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a broader misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities work to find a answer, proposals have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain optimistic that it could in time represent a sustainable solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the possibility of a refuge indicates a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a workable plan in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, leader of the plan, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|