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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the heated debate over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the people who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government funds the upkeep of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive creatures – something one caretaker discovered personally.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so surprised by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their confinement.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand results of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a inquiry, but previously asserted: “The whales … obtain far higher quality veterinary services and constant supervision than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in recent months following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility thought details of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant personnel”, trucks and machinery.

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

She supports demands for the whales to be removed right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

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

“Allowing the request would have meant a ongoing life in captivity and a return to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing permit an relocation that would continue the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The planned facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

The project lead, director of the sanctuary project, said the facility will replicate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|