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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their destiny often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the people who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the export of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to put them down unless the government covers the upkeep of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and communal behavior suggest they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess learned personally.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that required gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for two female belugas with contrasting natures.

“Eve selected me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I view connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her tenure at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she observed directly effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a questionnaire, but earlier asserted: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and around the clock attention than any individual in the UK, or elsewhere.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in the spring following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park thought information of the incident were shared to the news outlets and she was fired not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and machinery.

“There’s no way in hell the staff would ever do it,” she said.

She supports requests for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In recent months, the nation’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to send the whales to China.

“Allowing the request would have meant a continued life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official wrote. “As the public, we know that marine mammals are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s comments indicate a more general misunderstanding of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a solution, proposals have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A proposed protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received official endorsement, has proven most controversial. The future location, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could in time represent a permanent answer for eight of the whales.

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

Different voices say the prospect of a refuge represents a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the coming months.

The project lead, leader of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|