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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often fails to consider 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 federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the government covers the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are remarkably smart creatures – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a whale caretaker, a role that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so amazed by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She formed a deep bond for two female belugas with different natures.

“One whale chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both transformed the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales evolved 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 all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which activists say indicates the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures 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 reply to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 supervision than any human in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the park thought details of the incident were disclosed to the press and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in distress. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “considerable manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the application would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that whales are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reflect a wider misunderstanding of the facts of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A planned protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has proven highly debated. The prospective location, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|