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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense controversy over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the federal government funds the expense of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are remarkably smart mammals – something a former trainer learned directly.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a job that required gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with different personalities.

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

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a background of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to age-related causes, but which advocates say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The park did not open to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly results of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not respond to a questionnaire, but earlier claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and around the clock care than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in recent months following the death of Eos, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park believed particulars of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was released soon after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a single beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred right away from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

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

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would prolong the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments indicate a more general lack of awareness of the facts of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely 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 simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities attempt to find a resolution, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A suggested protected area in the region of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has been highly debated. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain optimistic that it could in time represent a sustainable resolution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ fate.

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable solution in the coming months.

An official, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and diet the whales get from specialists, albeit in a more expansive area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|