🔗 Share this article

Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute small “playful character”. Orion – called “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and wiggles like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

A group of thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, public officials and advocacy groups.

But those most familiar with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their destiny often overlooks the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the national authorities blocked the transfer of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept stated it would consider to end their lives unless the federal government funds the upkeep of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has rejected that request, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious circumstance.

Intelligent Sea Creatures

Researchers say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess learned personally.

Burgess spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a job that involved earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

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

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was even so amazed by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a deep bond for a pair of whales with contrasting personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “They altered the way I view bonding.”

Public Concerns and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s relationship with the whales evolved against a backdrop of increasing societal concern to their enclosure.

During her three years at the park, seven belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, died. In all, 19 belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to the poor conditions in which they were maintained.

The park did not operate to the visitors over the summer, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes effects of the cessation. “Structural materials is falling apart from the tanks because they’re degrading and not being maintained. The whales are curious and so they take pieces and swim around with fragments in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The facility did not reply to a questionnaire, but in the past claimed: “The whales … receive far higher quality veterinary services and 24/7 attention than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the park thought details of the death were disclosed to the media and she was fired not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and other caretakers in distress. She says the park’s threat to euthanize its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” task, adding any efforts to put down even a single beluga would require “immense staff”, vehicles and heavy equipment.

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

Burgess advocates for demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and dwindling staff.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister rejected a bid to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the application would have meant a perpetual life in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the wild, not in tanks for our entertainment. I could not in clear conscience approve an relocation that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reflect a wider misunderstanding of the facts of existence for belugas born in captivity.

“The people needs to grasp these are whales that have existed solely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “Many just don’t understand that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As authorities work to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of nourishment for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested sanctuary in the province of eastern Canada, which now received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The planned location, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term solution for a number of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s spoken with, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an trial” in the whales’ future.

Others say the prospect of a protected habitat reflects a changing attitudes away from captive facilities and could represent a viable approach in the short term.

The project lead, director of the plan, said the facility will simulate the intellectual stimulation and nutrition the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|