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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a disagreement between a shuttered park, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the authorities funds the upkeep of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

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

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.

“Eve selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the park ascribes to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … get far superior medical attention and constant attention than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility suspected details of the death were shared to the media and she was let go not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in despair. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She backs calls for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In recent months, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals should be in the wild, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing permit an export that would continue the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s statements indicate a broader misunderstanding of the realities of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities work to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A suggested protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has proven most controversial. The planned location, which includes a large area of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Different voices say the possibility of a protected habitat indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible solution in the short term.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the location will mimic the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|