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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their destiny often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the authorities funds the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, problem solving and communal behavior point to they are highly cognitive creatures – something one caretaker observed personally.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a role that involved gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing natures.

“Eve chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not reply to a request for comment, but previously claimed: “The whales … get far superior veterinary services and constant supervision than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in early March following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park believed information of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was fired soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

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

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals belong in the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a wider lack of awareness of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A planned sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The prospective facility, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain optimistic that it could in time represent a long term solution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|