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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been closely studied by the people who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the export of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and group interactions indicate they are highly cognitive mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

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

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary 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.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each altered the way I perceive connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales evolved against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far better veterinary services and 24/7 care than any human in the Britain, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in recent months following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park thought particulars of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

She supports demands for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s government official turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the request would have meant a perpetual situation in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that whales should be in the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reveal a broader lack of awareness of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of food for Inuit communities.

A proposed protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from specialists, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|