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Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an cute little “sweetheart”. Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but fiercely protective companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the heated debate over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after living their entire lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the humans who see them each day.

After the federal government blocked the transfer of the belugas to a foreign facility, the controversial facility near Niagara Falls where they are held warned to end their lives unless the federal government covers the upkeep of keeping them alive. Canada’s fisheries minister has denied that ultimatum, placing the 30 whales in an dangerously unstable situation.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Experts say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something Kristy Burgess learned first-hand.

She spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a job that entailed building relationships of the marine predators.

“Building up those bonds over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very unsure of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were very smart, but she says she was nonetheless amazed by the details and unique traits in their personalities. She formed a particular love for a pair of whales with different personalities.

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

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Burgess’s connection with the whales developed against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the facility, multiple belugas and the park’s one killer whale, the orca, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have died at the park since recent years, a number which the park links to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say indicates the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not open to the guests over the recent season, but the former trainer says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the shutdown. “Structural materials is falling apart from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they take pieces and swim around with chunks in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not reply to a request for comment, but earlier claimed: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and constant care than any individual in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Proposed Solutions

The former employee was fired from the park in recent months following the passing of a beluga, an ailing beluga the park staff had to humanely kill. She said the facility thought details of the incident were disclosed to the news outlets and she was fired not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in distress. She says the facility’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to euthanize even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess advocates for requests for the whales to be transferred promptly from the park, with its failing enclosures and dwindling staff.

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

“Allowing the proposal would have meant a continued situation in captivity and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister wrote. “As society, we know that whales are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing permit an transfer that would perpetuate the situation these belugas have suffered.”

But Burgess said the official’s comments reflect a more general lack of awareness of the realities of existence for belugas raised in confinement.

“The public needs to understand these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t understand that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As authorities attempt to find a answer, suggestions have been put forward, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be freed into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of nourishment for Inuit communities.

A planned protected area in the province of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has shown to be contentious. The planned site, which includes extensive space of protected cove, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for eight of the whales.

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

Different voices say the idea of a sanctuary reflects a broader global shift away from captive facilities and could represent a feasible plan in the coming months.

An official, leader of the plan, said the facility will simulate the mental engagement and diet the whales obtain from trainers, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the well-being of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|