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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a disagreement between a shuttered park, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their destiny often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the government funds the cost of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker discovered personally.

Burgess spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that required building relationships of the marine predators.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so surprised by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She formed a special affection for two female belugas with opposing temperaments.

“One whale chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each altered the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a background of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not admit visitors to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the cessation. “Concrete is breaking off from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not reply to a inquiry, but previously asserted: “The whales … get far higher quality veterinary services and around the clock supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was fired from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected particulars of the death were leaked to the media and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, trucks and machinery.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be removed right away from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As society, we know that belugas belong in the ocean, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience permit an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements reveal a wider misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a answer, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has proven contentious. The prospective facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Supporters remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the possibility of a protected habitat indicates a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a viable plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, leader of the plan, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|