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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a tussle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned controversy over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the government funds the expense of their care. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are highly cognitive animals – something a former trainer observed directly.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required building relationships of the aquatic animals.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very unsure 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.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so surprised by the subtleties and quirks in their personalities. She cultivated a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with different natures.

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

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, Kiska, died. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not open to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is breaking off from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and move about with chunks in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but previously claimed: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and 24/7 care than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought information of the death were disclosed to the media and she was let go not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s threat to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s government official denied a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a ongoing situation in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the wild, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments reveal a wider lack of awareness of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials struggle to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of food for Inuit communities.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received official endorsement, has proven contentious. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution for eight of the whales.

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

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible approach in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales get from trainers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|