🔗 Share this article

Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a struggle between a defunct facility, government authorities and animal rights activists.

But those working directly with the whales say the heated controversy over their future often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been carefully observed by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed threatened to euthanize them unless the government covers the cost of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ neural makeup, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer learned personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that involved building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Developing those connections over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the outset, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “In time, you gain shared confidence. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She developed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with different natures.

“One whale accepted me. Cleo demanded work,” she said. “They transformed the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of rising activist criticism to their captivity.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, 19 belugas have died at the park since 2019, a toll which the park ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The park did not admit visitors to the visitors over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but in the past stated: “The whales … receive far superior health care and 24/7 attention than any person in the Britain, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was dismissed from the facility in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the park thought particulars of the incident were shared to the news outlets and she was released not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and current and former trainers in distress. She says the park’s ultimatum to kill its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any attempts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

“There’s no way in hell the employees would ever do it,” she said.

Burgess backs requests for the whales to be removed right away from the facility, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In recent months, Canada’s government official turned down a bid to transfer the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a perpetual existence in confinement and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience authorize an export that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a wider misunderstanding of the realities of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have spent their whole lives in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As officials work to find a answer, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. One proposal called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has shown to be most controversial. The planned location, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain hopeful that it could eventually represent a permanent solution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among caretakers she’s discussed with, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “only an experiment” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from captive facilities and could represent a viable plan in the coming months.

The project lead, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will mimic the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|