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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy 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 people who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to euthanize them unless the government covers the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker observed first-hand.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

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

“One whale chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each transformed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales developed against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but previously claimed: “The whales … get far superior veterinary services and around the clock care than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an sick beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park suspected particulars of the incident were shared to the media and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and other caretakers in anguish. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any attempts to put down even a one beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs requests for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the application would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the wild, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reveal a more general misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely 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 simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A planned sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has proven most controversial. The prospective site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “merely an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the idea of a protected habitat represents a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|