🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie Botts is an charming little “ham sandwich”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a sizeable but fiercely protective companion. Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and moves like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a heart of gold.

Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canada-based entertainment facility have become pawns in a struggle between a shuttered park, government authorities and advocacy groups.

But those working directly with the whales say the intense discussion over their destiny often overlooks the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in confinement, have been carefully observed by the humans who see them each day.

After the Canadian government prevented the sale of the belugas to a foreign facility, the struggling attraction near Niagara Falls where they are housed stated it would consider to end their lives unless the government covers the upkeep of their survival. The nation’s marine resources official has refused that demand, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain position.

Highly Cognitive Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their vocal imitation skills, cognitive challenges and group interactions point to they are deeply intelligent creatures – something one caretaker discovered personally.

She spent several years as a marine mammal specialist, a position that required gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Establishing those bonds over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the outset, they’re very cautious of you,” she said. “Over time, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more trusting with you. It’s just so magical and fulfilling.”

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent, but she says she was even so astounded by the nuances and idiosyncrasies in their personalities. She cultivated a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing temperaments.

“Eve accepted me. The other required effort,” she said. “Each changed the way I perceive connection.”

Growing Opposition and Deteriorating Conditions

Her relationship with the whales developed against a context of growing public opposition to their captivity.

During her time at the attraction, seven belugas and the park’s single orca, the orca, died. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since 2019, a statistic which the park attributes to natural mortality, but which campaigners say points to 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 effects of the shutdown. “Structural materials is breaking off from the tanks because they’re falling apart and not being fixed. The whales are inquisitive and so they pick it up and move about with pieces in their jaws. It’s upsetting to see.”

The park did not comment to a questionnaire, but in the past stated: “The whales … obtain far better medical attention and around the clock supervision than any individual in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Proposed Solutions

Burgess was terminated from the park in early March following the demise of a beluga, an sick beluga the employees had to put down. She said the park thought details of the incident were disclosed to the media and she was let go shortly thereafter.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ outcome has left Burgess and current and former trainers in anguish. She says the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its whales is a leverage tool and is a “practically unfeasible” task, adding any plans to put down even a single beluga would require “considerable staff”, trucks and specialized tools.

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

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

In late September, the nation’s fisheries minister turned down a request to transfer the whales to an overseas location.

“Granting the proposal would have meant a continued life in confinement and a reversion to performance for audiences,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that belugas should be in the ocean, not in enclosures for our entertainment. I could not in ethical standing permit an relocation that would prolong the treatment these belugas have suffered.”

But the former trainer said the minister’s remarks indicate a broader misunderstanding of the circumstances of life for belugas born in captivity.

“The society needs to understand these are whales that have lived entirely in captivity and they will need constant supervision for the remainder of their lives,” she said. “People just don’t comprehend that it’s not as simple as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Alternative Habitat and Continuing Discussion

As authorities struggle to find a answer, ideas have surfaced, some of which have minimal feasibility. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of nourishment for local populations.

A suggested sanctuary in the region of Nova Scotia, which recently received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The prospective site, which includes extensive space of penned in ocean, is not yet built. Proponents remain positive that it could in time represent a permanent resolution for eight of the whales.

But, Burgess says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “simply an experiment” in the whales’ fate.

Some experts say the idea of a sanctuary represents a changing attitudes away from animal displays and could represent a viable plan in the near future.

An official, head of the sanctuary project, said the location will simulate the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales get from trainers, albeit in a much larger environment. He said after the health of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|