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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable small “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the people who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to end their lives unless the authorities funds the cost of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each changed the way I view relationships.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility links to age-related causes, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and around the clock attention than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility thought details of the incident were shared to the press and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “considerable personnel”, vehicles and machinery.

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

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

In recent months, Canada’s government official rejected a request to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that belugas are meant for the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an relocation that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reflect a more general incorrect perception of the facts of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely 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 straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of food for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective facility, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a permanent solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the possibility of a protected habitat reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable approach in the short term.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales get from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|