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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming small “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are held threatened to put them down unless the government pays for the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales progressed against a context of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes effects of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but earlier claimed: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and around the clock supervision than any person in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected details of the death were disclosed to the press and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “significant personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be taken right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a request to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reveal a wider misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds 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 now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The future site, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a permanent solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

An official, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|