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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the government pays for the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive creatures – something a former trainer learned first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and quirks in their dispositions. She developed a particular love for two female belugas with different natures.

“Eve accepted me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a background of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her three years at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the closure. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far higher quality health care and around the clock care than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought information of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was let go not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

She supports calls for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments reflect a broader misunderstanding of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

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

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a answer, proposals have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a sustainable resolution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a refuge represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, leader of the plan, said the site will replicate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|