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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been carefully observed by the people who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the government covers the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that request, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills indicate they are highly cognitive mammals – something a former trainer observed personally.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the nuances and quirks in their dispositions. She formed a special affection for two female belugas with contrasting temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her tenure at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and move about with fragments in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … get far better health care and constant supervision than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, vehicles and machinery.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a ongoing existence in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that belugas are meant for the sea, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience approve an relocation that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments indicate a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to understand 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 understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials attempt to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A suggested protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has been contentious. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the idea of a sanctuary indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, head of the initiative, said the location will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|