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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming little “ham sandwich”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the federal government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the struggling facility near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the government covers the expense of their survival. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess observed first-hand.

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

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so surprised by the subtleties and idiosyncrasies in their dispositions. She cultivated a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“Eve accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “They changed the way I view bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The facility did not open to the public over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not respond to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality medical attention and constant attention than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in early March following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park suspected information of the death were disclosed to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s warning to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “logistically impossible” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be transferred immediately from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and reduced personnel.

In recent months, Canada’s government official denied a request to transfer the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a perpetual situation in captivity and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in enclosures for our amusement. I could not in clear conscience authorize an transfer that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

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

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a answer, proposals have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A suggested protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received official endorsement, has been most controversial. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could in time represent a long term resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the idea of a protected habitat represents a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a workable plan in the short term.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|