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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the heated controversy over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the government funds the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and communal behavior indicate they are remarkably smart creatures – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very unsure 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 highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and quirks in their characters. She formed a particular love for two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a background of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … get far higher quality veterinary services and constant attention than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park believed details of the incident were leaked to the press and she was let go soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks indicate a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers work to find a resolution, proposals have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A proposed refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has shown to be contentious. The planned location, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent solution for a number of the whales.

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

Some experts say the prospect of a refuge indicates a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and diet the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|