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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable small “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the people who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the authorities funds the upkeep of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something a former trainer discovered personally.

Burgess spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that required earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their dispositions. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing natures.

“One whale chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I understand relationships.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better medical attention and constant supervision than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park believed information of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was let go not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to put down even a single beluga would require “significant personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, Canada’s government official rejected a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals should be in the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks reflect a more general lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A proposed protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has been contentious. The future facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could in time represent a sustainable 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 “merely an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the prospect of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the coming months.

An official, leader of the initiative, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|