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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their future often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government funds the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

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

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a deep bond for two female belugas with opposing personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The facility did not open to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and constant supervision than any person in the Britain, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility suspected information of the incident were leaked to the media and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.

“There’s no way in hell the staff would ever do it,” she said.

She supports calls for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

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

“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would prolong the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reveal a wider incorrect perception of the facts of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a solution, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A planned protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has proven contentious. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

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

Some experts say the possibility of a protected habitat indicates a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the facility will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|