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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a shuttered park, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense controversy over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the authorities pays for the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered personally.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that involved building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“Eve selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each altered the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the cessation. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far higher quality veterinary services and around the clock attention than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the park suspected details of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s warning to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, trucks and machinery.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s government official denied a bid to send the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual situation in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the sea, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a broader misunderstanding of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has been most controversial. The future site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a permanent answer for some of the whales.

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

Others say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the facility will simulate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|