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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their destiny often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the people who see them each day.

After the federal government blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held stated it would consider to end their lives unless the government funds the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that request, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive mammals – something a former trainer learned directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that required building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. 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 even so amazed by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting personalities.

“Eve accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

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

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better health care and constant attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in early March following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park thought details of the death were disclosed to the media and she was fired soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be taken promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official denied a request to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks indicate a wider incorrect perception of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has proven most controversial. The prospective facility, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|