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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their future often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government pays for the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart animals – something one caretaker observed first-hand.

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

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with different temperaments.

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

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a background of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the facility links to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the cessation. “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 pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and around the clock supervision than any person in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in recent months following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park believed information of the death were shared to the media and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

She backs calls for the whales to be transferred immediately from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In recent months, Canada’s government official denied a bid to send the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a ongoing situation in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements indicate a broader lack of awareness of the realities of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a resolution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The planned site, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a permanent resolution for a number of the whales.

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

Others say the idea of a protected habitat represents a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a feasible plan in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|