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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their fate often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the federal government funds the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are remarkably smart mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a job that entailed earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

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 deep bond for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“One whale chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

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

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past asserted: “The whales … get far superior medical attention and 24/7 attention than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park suspected details of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a individual beluga would require “significant manpower”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She backs demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s government official denied a request to send the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that belugas should be in the sea, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a wider incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A planned protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The future site, which includes a large area of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

The project lead, director of the initiative, said the facility will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|