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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “playful character”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to euthanize them unless the federal government pays for the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker observed personally.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a inquiry, but previously stated: “The whales … get far better medical attention and 24/7 attention than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought particulars of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s threat to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “considerable personnel”, trucks and heavy equipment.

“There’s no way in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an relocation that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reflect a broader incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A planned protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has been highly debated. The planned site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|