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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a tussle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the federal government funds the upkeep of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something Kristy Burgess discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a job that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so amazed by the nuances and quirks in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a background of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which activists say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not reply to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … get far better health care and around the clock care than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in early March following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park thought details of the death were shared to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reflect a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a solution, proposals have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a long term answer for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|