🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an charming little “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like companion. Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

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

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are kept threatened to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something a former trainer discovered personally.

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

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the subtleties and unique traits in their dispositions. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

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

Public Concerns and Facility Decline

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her time at the park, seven belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a toll which the facility attributes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say points to the substandard environment in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand results of the closure. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they pick it up and navigate with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a request for comment, but in the past claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any person in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in early March following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were shared to the news outlets and she was released shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and current and former trainers in despair. She says the facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” undertaking, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “significant personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be transferred right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

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

“Granting the proposal would have meant a ongoing situation in confinement and a reversion to display for amusement,” the official commented. “As the public, we know that belugas are meant for the wild, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in good conscience authorize an transfer that would prolong the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s statements reveal a wider incorrect perception of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, proposals have emerged, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of northern regions – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has shown to be contentious. The planned facility, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Proponents remain optimistic that it could in time represent a permanent answer for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Different voices say the prospect of a refuge indicates a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible solution in the near future.

An official, head of the initiative, said the location will replicate the intellectual stimulation and diet the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|