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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government funds the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

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

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

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

“Eve chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the park links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … receive far superior health care and 24/7 attention than any person in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park believed details of the incident were shared to the media and she was let go soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any attempts to put down even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be removed right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

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

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued existence in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that belugas should be in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks reflect a broader misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work 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 wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A planned protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The future site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a sustainable answer for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Others say the possibility of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the coming months.

An official, leader of the initiative, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|