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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their fate often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to put them down unless the government covers the cost of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer learned personally.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed building relationships of the marine predators.

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

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with different natures.

“One whale selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a background of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but previously asserted: “The whales … obtain far superior medical attention and around the clock attention than any individual in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in early March following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that whales are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a broader misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for a number of the whales.

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

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the plan, said the site will mimic the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|