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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been closely studied by the humans who see them each day.

After the federal government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the government funds the cost of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a job that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She cultivated a deep bond for two female belugas with opposing personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales evolved against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which advocates say points to the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the cessation. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought information of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess backs requests for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a request to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the request would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that marine mammals belong in the sea, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements indicate a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The future location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable answer for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the facility will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|