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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the federal government covers the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and group interactions indicate they are remarkably smart animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that involved building relationships of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for two female belugas with different temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They transformed the way I view connection.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales developed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but earlier claimed: “The whales … get far better medical attention and constant care than any individual in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the death were disclosed to the media and she was released soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the sea, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a more general incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, proposals have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Advocates remain positive that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the possibility of a sanctuary indicates a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the initiative, said the facility will simulate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|