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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated debate over their fate often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the government covers the cost of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior indicate they are remarkably smart creatures – something one caretaker observed personally.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so surprised by the subtleties and quirks in their characters. She developed a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both transformed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far higher quality medical attention and around the clock supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought details of the death were leaked to the media and she was fired not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs requests for the whales to be removed right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

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

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a continued life in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the sea, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing approve an transfer that would prolong the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments indicate a wider lack of awareness of the realities of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a answer, proposals have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A proposed protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has been most controversial. The future facility, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could in time represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the idea of a refuge represents a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the near future.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|