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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated debate over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the people who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the authorities funds the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess observed personally.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so astounded by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with different natures.

“One whale chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both altered the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … get far superior health care and constant attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

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

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any plans to put down even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As Canadians, we know that belugas are meant for the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reveal a wider misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has been contentious. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the prospect of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable plan in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|