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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a large but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to end their lives unless the authorities pays for the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something Kristy Burgess discovered first-hand.

She spent three years as a beluga trainer, a position that entailed building relationships of the marine predators.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and quirks in their personalities. She developed a special affection for two female belugas with opposing temperaments.

“One whale chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility links to age-related causes, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

The park did not admit visitors to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the closure. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a inquiry, but previously claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and around the clock supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in the spring following the demise of Eos, an ailing beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the park suspected details of the death were leaked to the press and she was released soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, trucks and machinery.

“It cannot happen in hell the staff would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess supports calls for the whales to be removed promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In recent months, the nation’s government official denied a proposal to send the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the wild, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an relocation that would continue the situation these belugas have endured.”

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

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Proponents remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the idea of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the initiative, said the location will simulate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|