🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a shuttered park, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their future often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in captivity, have been closely studied by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the national authorities prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling amusement park near the famous falls where they are held warned to put them down unless the federal government pays for the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their sound replication, problem solving and group interactions suggest they are deeply intelligent mammals – something one caretaker observed directly.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a role that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Establishing those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the details and unique traits in their dispositions. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with different personalities.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “They altered the way I perceive connection.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a context of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the inadequate care in which they were kept.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand results of the cessation. “Concrete is breaking off from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a request for comment, but earlier claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and constant attention than any individual in the UK, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in early March following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to put down. She said the facility thought particulars of the death were disclosed to the press and she was released shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ fate has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, vehicles and machinery.

“It cannot happen in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess supports calls for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

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

“Granting the proposal would have meant a perpetual existence in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals are meant for the sea, not in pools for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience permit an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the minister’s comments indicate a wider incorrect perception of the facts of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need constant supervision for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a solution, ideas have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A proposed refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The prospective site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Advocates remain optimistic that it could in time represent a long term resolution for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers 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 idea of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|