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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been caught in a struggle between a closed attraction, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense controversy over their destiny often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government pays for the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a position that involved building relationships of the sea creatures.

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

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and unique traits in their characters. She developed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both transformed the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which activists say reflects the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and move about with fragments in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but previously claimed: “The whales … receive far better health care and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in recent months following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the incident were leaked to the press and she was released not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for calls for the whales to be taken promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a bid to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks reflect a broader incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials attempt to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has shown to be most controversial. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the possibility of a protected habitat represents a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and diet the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|