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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are kept threatened to euthanize them unless the government covers the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting personalities.

“One whale chose me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales developed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say points to the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … obtain far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in early March following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility thought information of the death were leaked to the press and she was released not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and machinery.

“It’s impossible in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

She backs demands for the whales to be removed right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

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

“To approve the proposal would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an export that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a wider lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The planned facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent solution for a number of the whales.

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

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

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|