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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense debate over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government covers the expense of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, problem solving and group interactions indicate they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer observed personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing natures.

“One whale accepted me. The other required effort,” she said. “They transformed the way I view bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a background of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far higher quality veterinary services and constant attention than any individual in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in recent months following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park thought particulars of the death were shared to the news outlets and she was released soon after.

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

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

She advocates for requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks indicate a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers work to find a answer, suggestions have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has proven most controversial. The planned location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the possibility of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the facility will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|