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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “sweetheart”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to euthanize them unless the authorities pays for the cost of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are remarkably smart animals – something one caretaker learned first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a beluga trainer, a role that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

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

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the details and quirks in their characters. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with different personalities.

“Eve chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which activists say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … get far higher quality medical attention and constant supervision than any human in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park thought information of the incident were leaked to the press and she was released not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable personnel”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs requests for the whales to be taken immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official rejected a request to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a continued existence in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that belugas belong in the wild, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would prolong the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements indicate a broader misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers work to find a resolution, proposals have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the prospect of a refuge represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the site will simulate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|