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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are held threatened to end their lives unless the authorities funds the cost of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the thirty whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer observed personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with different personalities.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which activists say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far superior health care and around the clock supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in early March following the demise of a beluga, an ailing beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were leaked to the news outlets and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant manpower”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s government official denied a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would continue the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a resolution, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A proposed sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The future site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible solution in the short term.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|