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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who see them each day.

After the national authorities disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the federal government funds the upkeep of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and group interactions suggest they are highly cognitive mammals – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so surprised by the subtleties and quirks in their personalities. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“One whale accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past asserted: “The whales … get far superior health care and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the Britain, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in early March following the death of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park thought particulars of the death were disclosed to the media and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “considerable staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

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

In recent months, the nation’s government official denied a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a more general misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many 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 resolution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A proposed refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The planned site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

The project lead, director of the initiative, said the facility will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|