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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the people who see them each day.

After the federal government prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the struggling facility near the famous falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the federal government covers the upkeep of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that request, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed directly.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“Eve accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They transformed the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales progressed against a context of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say reflects the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far better medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility thought particulars of the incident were leaked to the media and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

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

In recent months, the nation’s government official rejected a bid to export the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing existence in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements indicate a wider incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities work to find a solution, proposals have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has been contentious. The future location, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable answer for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

An official, director of the sanctuary project, said the facility will simulate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales get from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger area. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|