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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated debate over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the people who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the transfer of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the federal government covers the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and communal behavior suggest they are highly cognitive animals – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

Burgess spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. 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 nonetheless amazed by the nuances and quirks in their characters. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing temperaments.

“One whale chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both altered the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

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

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not open to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously stated: “The whales … receive far superior health care and constant attention than any individual in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the facility in recent months following the demise of Eos, an unwell beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the park suspected information of the incident were shared to the press and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s warning to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be taken promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official denied a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a continued life in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that whales should be in the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a more general incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas born in captivity.

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The future site, which includes 100 acres of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a long term solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ future.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat indicates a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a viable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|