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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated controversy over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are held stated it would consider to end their lives unless the authorities covers the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered personally.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a position that involved building relationships of the marine predators.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so surprised by the details and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a particular love for a pair of whales with different temperaments.

“One whale chose me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales evolved against a context of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The facility did not operate to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures 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 distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and around the clock care than any person in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park suspected information of the death were disclosed to the media and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the application would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a return to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an export that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan 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 planned sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has proven highly debated. The prospective site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a viable approach in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the initiative, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|