🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie is an adorable little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but guardian-like friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canada-based entertainment facility have been entangled in a tussle between a closed attraction, government authorities and welfare campaigners.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been carefully observed by the humans who see them each day.

After the national authorities prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled attraction near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the authorities pays for the expense of keeping them alive. Canada’s marine resources official has denied that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions indicate they are highly cognitive mammals – something a former trainer learned directly.

She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a job that entailed building relationships of the aquatic animals.

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

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and unique traits in their characters. She developed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting personalities.

“Eve chose me. Cleo required effort,” she said. “They changed the way I perceive relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her connection with the whales progressed against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, Kiska, died. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a toll which the park ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say reflects the inadequate care in which they were maintained.

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 closure. “Structural materials is deteriorating from the pools because they’re in disrepair and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not reply to a inquiry, but earlier asserted: “The whales … obtain far better health care and around the clock attention than any person in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the passing of Eos, an ailing beluga the caretakers had to put down. She said the park believed information of the death were shared to the press and she was fired soon after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left her and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s warning to end the lives of its whales is a leverage tool and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to humanely kill even a single beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and specialized tools.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be taken right away from the park, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a request to send the whales to China.

“To approve the request would have meant a perpetual life in enclosure and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that belugas should be in the sea, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience authorize an transfer that would continue the treatment these belugas have endured.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks reflect a more general incorrect perception of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

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

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a answer, proposals have emerged, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a primary resource of food for local populations.

A proposed protected area in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The planned site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Advocates remain positive that it could in time represent a sustainable resolution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer 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.

Different voices say the possibility of a protected habitat reflects a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

An official, leader of the initiative, said the site will simulate the mental engagement and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|