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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the federal government covers the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and group interactions point to they are remarkably smart creatures – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

Burgess spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the subtleties and quirks in their characters. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing temperaments.

“Eve selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and around the clock attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the facility suspected details of the death were disclosed to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “significant personnel”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

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

“To approve the request would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would continue the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reflect a broader incorrect perception of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of food for Inuit communities.

A suggested protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has proven highly debated. The prospective location, which includes extensive space of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the facility will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|