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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “constant motion” and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a closed attraction, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned debate over their fate often overlooks the complexities of the whales who, after spending their lives in confinement, have been carefully observed by the humans who work with them regularly.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled facility near the famous falls where they are kept stated it would consider to euthanize them unless the authorities covers the cost of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, cognitive challenges and communal behavior indicate they are highly cognitive creatures – something Kristy Burgess learned directly.

She spent several years as a beluga trainer, a job that involved gaining confidence of the sea creatures.

“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the start, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so astounded by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting temperaments.

“One whale chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “Each transformed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

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

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were housed.

The park did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand effects of the shutdown. “Concrete is falling apart from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they grab fragments and navigate with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … get far superior medical attention and 24/7 supervision than any human in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to euthanize. She said the facility believed information of the incident were leaked to the news outlets and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ outcome has left her and staff members in despair. She says the facility’s threat to kill its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any attempts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “significant personnel”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

She supports requests for the whales to be removed right away from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official denied a request to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As society, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience approve an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks indicate a wider misunderstanding of the realities of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have spent their whole lives in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As authorities struggle to find a solution, proposals have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A suggested refuge in the region of Nova Scotia, which has received regulatory clearance, has been most controversial. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term answer for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among caretakers she’s spoken with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “simply an trial” in the whales’ future.

Different voices say the possibility of a protected habitat represents a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, director of the plan, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger area. He said after the health of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|