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Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an cute little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a tussle between a defunct facility, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the government covers the upkeep of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, intellectual tasks and communal behavior point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer observed directly.

She spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that involved earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their personalities. She cultivated a special affection for two female belugas with different natures.

“One whale chose me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she observed directly consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the enclosures because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and navigate with pieces in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and around the clock supervision than any person in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in early March following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected details of the death were leaked to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable manpower”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

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

“To approve the proposal would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the wild, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an relocation that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a more general incorrect perception of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of food for local populations.

A planned protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received official endorsement, has been contentious. The prospective facility, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, doesn’t yet exist. Advocates remain hopeful that it could ultimately represent a long term resolution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among trainers 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 possibility of a sanctuary reflects a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

Charles Vinick, head of the plan, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|