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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a disagreement between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often ignores the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the people who see them each day.

After the national authorities disallowed the export of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the authorities funds the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are remarkably smart mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered directly.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a role that entailed gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “In time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She cultivated a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing personalities.

“Eve chose me. The other demanded work,” she said. “They changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

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

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility 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 guests over the summer, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand effects of the closure. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and move about with fragments in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier asserted: “The whales … receive far better medical attention and constant care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in early March following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to euthanize. She said the facility thought information of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any efforts to put down even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, trucks and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be removed immediately from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In late September, Canada’s government official turned down a bid to export the whales to China.

“Granting the request would have meant a ongoing life in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that whales should be in the wild, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience permit an relocation that would continue the conditions these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reflect a broader incorrect perception of the facts of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials struggle to find a solution, ideas have been put forward, some of which have minimal feasibility. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for local populations.

A proposed protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received regulatory clearance, has shown to be most controversial. The prospective site, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Supporters remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable solution 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’ future.

Different voices say the prospect of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the coming months.

An official, director of the sanctuary project, said the facility will mimic the mental engagement and nutrition the whales get from specialists, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|