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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned controversy over their destiny often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the people who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the expense of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions point to they are remarkably smart creatures – something Kristy Burgess discovered personally.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a position that entailed earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with opposing temperaments.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both changed the way I view relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since 2019, a number which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand 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 pick it up and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past asserted: “The whales … obtain far higher quality health care and around the clock attention than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in early March following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility thought information of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister denied a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an relocation that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

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

“The people needs to grasp 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. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials attempt to find a answer, ideas have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for local populations.

A planned refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has been contentious. The future location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the facility will simulate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|