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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a disagreement between a shuttered park, local and national governments and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned discussion over their future often fails to consider the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the people who work with them regularly.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the federal government pays for the cost of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Scientists say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are highly cognitive mammals – something Kristy Burgess observed personally.

She spent three years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that involved earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the outset, 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 extraordinary and rewarding.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and quirks in their personalities. She developed a special affection for a pair of whales with different natures.

“One whale chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Both altered the way I view connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a context of rising activist criticism to their confinement.

During her three years at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park attributes to expected lifespan, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes consequences of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with chunks in their jaws. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but previously stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any human in the Britain, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the facility in the spring following the passing of Eos, an unwell beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park believed information of the incident were shared to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to put down even a single beluga would require “considerable manpower”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She backs requests for the whales to be removed promptly from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister denied a proposal to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a return to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in tanks for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an relocation that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements indicate a wider lack of awareness of the facts of living conditions for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials attempt to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be highly debated. The planned facility, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain positive that it could ultimately represent a permanent solution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an trial” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

The project lead, head of the plan, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from trainers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the well-being of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|