‘It’s heartbreaking’: the way 30 captive white whales are being used as pawns in row over animal welfare.

Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an adorable small “ham sandwich”. Orion – called “Onion” – is a big but guardian-like friend. Another whale, Zephyr has “constant motion” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “most affectionate” with a gentle spirit.

Thirty enclosed marine mammals in a Canadian amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a shuttered park, public officials and welfare campaigners.

But those most familiar with the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after spending their lives in captivity, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the sale of the belugas to China, the embattled attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the government funds the expense of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Researchers say that belugas’ neuroanatomy, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and social skills suggest they are highly cognitive animals – something one caretaker observed personally.

Burgess spent a significant period as a beluga trainer, a role that involved building relationships of the sea creatures.

“Developing those bonds over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of affection. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain reciprocal understanding. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and fulfilling.”

The trainer knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless surprised by the details and quirks in their dispositions. She formed a special affection for a pair of whales with different personalities.

“Eve selected me. The other made me earn it,” she said. “Each altered the way I understand connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her interaction with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, succumbed. In total, 19 belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a number which the facility attributes to natural mortality, but which advocates say reflects the substandard environment in which they were kept.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she saw with her own eyes effects of the closure. “Concrete is deteriorating from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are exploratory and so they pick it up and navigate with fragments in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The park did not comment to a inquiry, but earlier asserted: “The whales … receive far better veterinary services and 24/7 care than any person in the United Kingdom, or other places.”

Fate in Limbo and Potential Resolutions

Burgess was dismissed from the park in recent months following the demise of a beluga, an unwell beluga the park staff had to put down. She said the park suspected information of the death were disclosed to the news outlets and she was let go not long after.

The uncertainty over the whales’ future has left Burgess and other caretakers in anguish. She says the facility’s warning to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” undertaking, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “immense manpower”, equipment and machinery.

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

She supports demands for the whales to be taken right away from the facility, with its deteriorating pools and shrinking team.

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

“To approve the application would have meant a continued existence in enclosure and a return to public entertainment,” the official wrote. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the wild, not in pools for our amusement. I could not in ethical standing approve an relocation that would continue the treatment these belugas have experienced.”

But Burgess said the official’s remarks indicate a wider lack of awareness of the realities of life for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The public needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need ongoing assistance for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as straightforward as saying ‘end operations’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As decision makers attempt to find a resolution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have questionable practicality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the wilds of Canada’s north – where whales are a key source of sustenance for Indigenous peoples.

A suggested refuge in the province of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has been highly debated. The prospective facility, which includes a large area of enclosed sea water, is not yet built. Advocates remain hopeful that it could in time represent a long term solution for eight of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s discussed with, there is “no trust there” about what she said is “merely an untested concept” in the whales’ well-being.

Others say the possibility of a sanctuary represents a changing attitudes away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a workable approach in the near future.

Charles Vinick, leader of the initiative, said the site will replicate the mental engagement and diet the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a more expansive environment. He said after the well-being of whales is completely examined, which could take months|an extended period|