🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an charming small “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a big but very loyal friend. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those closest to the whales say the impassioned debate over their destiny often ignores the nuances of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities disallowed the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near the famous falls where they are housed warned to euthanize them unless the government funds the expense of their care. Canada’s marine resources official has rejected that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their sound replication, problem solving and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something Kristy Burgess discovered first-hand.

Burgess spent several years as a beluga trainer, a role that required earning the trust of the marine predators.

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

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless amazed by the subtleties and quirks in their characters. She formed a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting temperaments.

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

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales progressed against a background of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her tenure at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility ascribes to age-related causes, but which advocates say points to the poor conditions in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the visitors over the recent season, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the closure. “Structural materials is breaking off from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and swim around with fragments in their mouth. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not comment to a inquiry, but earlier stated: “The whales … receive far higher quality health care and 24/7 supervision than any human in the Britain, or elsewhere.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was fired from the park in the spring following the death of Eos, an sick beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought information of the incident were shared to the press and she was fired not long after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ outcome 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 “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “considerable staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess backs calls for the whales to be removed immediately from the park, with its deteriorating pools and dwindling staff.

In late September, the nation’s government official turned down a bid to send the whales to an overseas location.

“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual situation in enclosure and a reversion to public entertainment,” the official commented. “As Canadians, we know that marine mammals are meant for the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in good conscience authorize an relocation that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s comments reveal a broader misunderstanding of the facts of life for belugas raised in confinement.

“The people needs to realize these are whales that have lived entirely in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Alternative Habitat and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers struggle to find a resolution, suggestions have emerged, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a primary resource of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of eastern Canada, which now received regulatory clearance, has been highly debated. The future site, which includes 100 acres of enclosed sea water, doesn’t yet exist. Supporters remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a sustainable answer for some of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the possibility of a refuge indicates a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a feasible approach in the coming months.

The project lead, director of the initiative, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and nutrition the whales get from caretakers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|