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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a closed attraction, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their fate often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the federal government pays for the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and communal behavior suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so astounded by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She formed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“Eve accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Burgess’s connection with the whales evolved against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The facility did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier asserted: “The whales … obtain far higher quality medical attention and around the clock care than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected information of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience permit an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements indicate a more general lack of awareness of the realities of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities struggle to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The planned facility, which includes a large area of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term answer for a number of the whales.

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

Others say the possibility of a refuge represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

An official, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|