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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute little “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the people who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government disallowed the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to euthanize them unless the federal government pays for the cost of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer discovered personally.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a job that involved earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so surprised by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She cultivated a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park links to age-related causes, but which campaigners say indicates the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and move about with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and 24/7 supervision than any individual in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility believed information of the incident were leaked to the press and she was let go not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant personnel”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a bid to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the request would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience permit an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks indicate a wider lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a answer, suggestions have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a permanent solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

Charles Vinick, head of the plan, said the location will replicate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|