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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the people who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the authorities covers the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive creatures – something a former trainer discovered personally.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that involved building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but previously stated: “The whales … obtain far higher quality health care and 24/7 supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in early March following the death of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected particulars of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to put down even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a proposal to export the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a perpetual situation in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an export that would prolong the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements indicate a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care 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 decision makers struggle to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of food for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which has received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The prospective facility, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

An official, director of the initiative, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|