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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a defunct facility, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government funds the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

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

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, 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 wonderful and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their dispositions. She cultivated a deep bond for a pair of whales with opposing natures.

“One whale chose me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They changed the way I view bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales developed against a context of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes results of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and constant attention than any human in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the death were disclosed to the press and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s warning to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, trucks and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

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

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that whales should be in the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a broader lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials attempt to find a answer, proposals have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A proposed refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The prospective location, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable resolution for eight of the whales.

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

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible solution in the near future.

An official, leader of the plan, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales obtain from caretakers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|