🔗 Share this article

Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an cute small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been caught in a struggle between a closed attraction, local and national governments and welfare campaigners.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often ignores the complexities of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the national authorities blocked the export of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed warned to put them down unless the authorities pays for the expense of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent animals – something a former trainer observed directly.

She spent a significant period as a marine mammal specialist, a position that involved gaining confidence of the marine predators.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It’s just so extraordinary and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless surprised by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with different personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Each transformed the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their enclosure.

During her tenure at the park, multiple belugas and the park’s single killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she observed directly results of the cessation. “Structural materials is breaking off from the tanks because they’re in disrepair and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but previously asserted: “The whales … receive far superior medical attention and 24/7 care than any human in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an unwell beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the park believed particulars of the death were disclosed to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its crumbling tanks and reduced personnel.

In the autumn, Canada’s government official denied a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“Granting the application would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the official commented. “As society, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing permit an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s statements indicate a wider misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The public needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘close it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a resolution, proposals have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. One proposal called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of the Arctic – where whales are a key source of food for local populations.

A suggested protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The future facility, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a sustainable solution for a number of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Some experts say the idea of a protected habitat reflects a broader global shift away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the near future.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|