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The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their future often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the government pays for the upkeep of their survival. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills point to they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker discovered directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a job that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those connections over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the outset, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She cultivated a special affection for a pair of whales with opposing natures.

“Eve accepted me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each altered the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a background of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the park links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the shutdown. “Concrete is deteriorating from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and swim around with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … get far superior veterinary services and around the clock supervision than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was fired from the facility in recent months following the death of Eos, an unwell beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park believed details of the incident were shared to the media and she was released not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and staff members in anguish. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for calls for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In the autumn, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a proposal to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals belong in the sea, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience permit an relocation that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a more general misunderstanding of the facts of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As officials attempt to find a answer, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a important part of food for Inuit communities.

A planned sanctuary in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received government approval, has proven contentious. The future facility, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain optimistic that it could eventually represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

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

Others say the prospect of a refuge indicates a broader global shift away from animal displays and could represent a viable plan in the short term.

An official, head of the initiative, said the site will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|