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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a closed attraction, local and national governments and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their fate often ignores 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 Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held threatened to euthanize them unless the federal government covers the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that request, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are highly cognitive mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered personally.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a role that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with different natures.

“Eve chose me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They altered the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the cessation. “Structural materials is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and around the clock supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the park in early March following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought information of the death were shared to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and machinery.

“It’s impossible in hell the staff would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to export the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As the public, we know that belugas should be in the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements indicate a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a resolution, ideas have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The planned facility, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a sustainable answer for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the prospect of a refuge reflects a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a workable solution in the short term.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|