🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a tussle between a closed attraction, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the heated discussion over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who work with them regularly.

After the federal government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to end their lives unless the federal government pays for the cost of keeping them alive. The nation’s marine resources official has rejected that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and social skills point to they are highly cognitive animals – something a former trainer observed directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and unique traits in their dispositions. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“Eve selected me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her time at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one orca, Kiska, died. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility links to age-related causes, but which activists say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not open to the public over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they grab fragments and move about with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a inquiry, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far better veterinary services and constant supervision than any individual in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was dismissed from the facility in early March following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the facility thought information of the incident were shared to the press and she was fired shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left her and current and former trainers in distress. She says the facility’s threat to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official denied a proposal to send the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a continued situation in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the minister wrote. “As the public, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would prolong the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reveal a broader lack of awareness of the circumstances of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of northern regions – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A proposed sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The planned facility, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain positive that it could eventually represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff 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 protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a feasible solution in the near future.

The project lead, leader of the plan, said the location will simulate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales get from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger environment. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|