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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been caught in a struggle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their fate often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to put them down unless the government pays for the expense of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and communal behavior suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker discovered personally.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so astounded by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both transformed the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility links to age-related causes, but which campaigners say indicates the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with fragments in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but previously stated: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in early March following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park suspected particulars of the death were disclosed to the media and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

“It cannot happen in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

She advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official denied a proposal to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing existence in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As the public, we know that marine mammals are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reveal a more general misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities work to find a solution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has proven highly debated. The future facility, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the idea of a refuge represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the site will replicate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|