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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their destiny often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the federal government blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to euthanize them unless the federal government covers the cost of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer learned first-hand.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

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

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and quirks in their dispositions. She cultivated a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing natures.

“Eve accepted me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to natural mortality, but which activists say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the cessation. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 care than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the park in recent months following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility believed details of the incident were leaked to the media and she was released soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be removed right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals belong in the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a more general misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of food for Inuit communities.

A planned protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has been contentious. The planned site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a sustainable solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a workable plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the location will simulate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|