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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned debate over their future often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities disallowed the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept warned to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the cost of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something a former trainer discovered first-hand.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the outset, 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 even so astounded by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with opposing temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Both altered the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her time at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park attributes to age-related causes, but which advocates say points to the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … obtain far superior veterinary services and constant attention than any human in the Britain, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park suspected particulars of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s threat to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any efforts to put down even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official rejected a proposal to send the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a perpetual existence in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that whales should be in the sea, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience approve an export that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reflect a more general lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need human care for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Supporters remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent answer for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable approach in the short term.

An official, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the mental engagement and diet the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|