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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated discussion over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the humans who see them each day.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to China, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the government covers the cost of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills point to they are remarkably smart creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a job that involved building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with different temperaments.

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

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a statistic which the facility links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not open to the guests over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past asserted: “The whales … receive far superior health care and 24/7 care than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility suspected particulars of the incident were leaked to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

She supports calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official turned down a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a ongoing existence in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that whales belong in the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an export that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments reflect a wider incorrect perception of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

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

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a answer, ideas have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has proven highly debated. The planned site, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat represents a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the near future.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|