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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their fate often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the Canadian government disallowed the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the federal government funds the cost of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the subtleties and quirks in their personalities. She formed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting personalities.

“Eve chose me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far better health care and constant supervision than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were leaked to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any efforts to put down even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

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

In late September, Canada’s government official denied a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the sea, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would prolong the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments indicate a wider misunderstanding of the realities of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to understand 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. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a answer, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A proposed protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has been contentious. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a long term solution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the short term.

The project lead, head of the initiative, said the site will replicate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|