🔗 Share this article

Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an adorable little “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – called “Onion” – is a sizeable but guardian-like companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “endless energy” and sways like a worm. Lillooet is the “most affectionate” with a kind nature.

A group of thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a struggle between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the intense debate over their destiny often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who see them each day.

After the federal government blocked the export of the belugas to China, the controversial amusement park near the famous falls where they are housed threatened to put them down unless the authorities pays for the expense of keeping them alive. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that ultimatum, placing the thirty whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Highly Cognitive Sea Creatures

Experts say that belugas’ brain structure, along with their mimicry abilities, intellectual tasks and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive mammals – something one caretaker discovered directly.

She spent three years as a whale caretaker, a position that involved earning the trust of the aquatic animals.

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

The trainer knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was nonetheless astounded by the details and quirks in their personalities. She cultivated a particular love for a pair of whales with opposing personalities.

“Eve accepted me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand bonding.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales developed against a context of growing public opposition to their confinement.

During her time at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say indicates the inadequate care in which they were housed.

The park did not operate to the public over the summer, but the former trainer says she observed directly consequences of the shutdown. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re degrading and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and navigate with chunks in their mouth. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but in the past asserted: “The whales … receive far better health care and constant attention than any human in the UK, or other places.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was terminated from the facility in recent months following the death of a beluga, an ailing beluga the employees had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected details of the death were disclosed to the press and she was let go soon after.

The ambiguity over the whales’ fate has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s threat to end the lives of its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “extremely difficult” endeavor, adding any efforts to euthanize even a individual beluga would require “immense staff”, equipment and specialized tools.

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

Burgess backs demands for the whales to be removed promptly from the park, with its failing enclosures and reduced personnel.

In late September, Canada’s fisheries minister turned down a proposal to export the whales to China.

“Allowing the application would have meant a continued existence in captivity and a reversion to public entertainment,” the minister stated. “As Canadians, we know that belugas are meant for the ocean, not in pools for our enjoyment. I could not in clear conscience approve an transfer that would continue the situation these belugas have experienced.”

But the former trainer said the official’s remarks reflect a broader lack of awareness of the realities of living conditions for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to realize these are whales that have existed solely in confinement and they will need ongoing assistance for the rest of their years,” she said. “Many just don’t realize that it’s not as simple as saying ‘close it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Ongoing Debate

As decision makers work to find a answer, ideas have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be released into the open waters of northern regions – where whales are a key source of food for Inuit communities.

A planned refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which now received official endorsement, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective site, which includes 100 acres of protected cove, is not yet built. Supporters remain optimistic that it could in time represent a permanent answer for a number of the whales.

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

Different voices say the possibility of a refuge indicates a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable solution in the coming months.

Charles Vinick, head of the sanctuary project, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and nutrition the whales receive from caretakers, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the medical condition of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|