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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the intense discussion over their future often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the humans who see them each day.

After the Canadian government blocked the transfer of the belugas to China, the struggling amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the government covers the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills indicate they are remarkably smart creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that entailed earning the trust of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“Eve accepted me. The other demanded work,” she said. “Each changed the way I understand connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales progressed against a background of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In all, 19 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 facility did not admit visitors to the visitors over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but earlier asserted: “The whales … get far better health care and around the clock attention than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in early March following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park believed information of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in despair. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to euthanize even a single beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and heavy equipment.

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

She advocates for demands for the whales to be taken immediately from the park, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a request to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the request would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a return to display for amusement,” the official stated. “As the public, we know that belugas should be in the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would prolong the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s remarks reflect a broader incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, proposals have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A proposed refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has proven contentious. The future site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a long term resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible approach in the short term.

The project lead, leader of the initiative, said the location will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|