🔗 Share this article

The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s offspring Bertie is an charming small “sweetheart”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion” – is a large but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has “constant motion” and moves like a worm. Lillooet the beluga is the “loving presence” with a kind nature.

Thirty enclosed beluga whales in a Canada-based amusement park have been entangled in a disagreement between a defunct facility, public officials and animal rights activists.

But those closest to the whales say the intense discussion over their fate often fails to consider the nuances of the whales who, after growing up in enclosed habitats, have been closely studied by the caretakers who interact with them daily.

After the federal government prevented the export of the belugas to China, the controversial attraction near Niagara Falls where they are kept threatened to end their lives unless the government pays for the upkeep of their care. The nation’s fisheries minister has refused that demand, placing the thirty whales in an dangerously unstable circumstance.

Intelligent Marine Mammals

Scientists say that belugas’ neural makeup, along with their sound replication, problem solving and social skills indicate they are deeply intelligent mammals – something a former trainer discovered directly.

Burgess spent a significant period as a whale caretaker, a position that involved gaining confidence of the aquatic animals.

“Developing those relationships over time takes a lot of dedication and a lot of care. At the beginning, 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 extraordinary and rewarding.”

Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was even so amazed by the details and idiosyncrasies in their characters. She formed a special affection for Eve and Cleopatra with opposing natures.

“One whale chose me. The other required effort,” she said. “Both changed the way I understand relationships.”

Growing Opposition and Facility Decline

Her relationship with the whales progressed against a context of increasing societal concern to their captivity.

During her three years at the attraction, multiple belugas and the park’s single orca, Kiska, passed away. In all, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a statistic which the park ascribes to expected lifespan, but which campaigners say points to the substandard environment in which they were maintained.

The facility did not operate to the guests over the summer, but Burgess says she witnessed firsthand consequences of the cessation. “Concrete is falling apart from the enclosures because they’re falling apart and not being repaired. The whales are inquisitive and so they take pieces and move about with pieces in their mouth. It’s distressing to see.”

The facility did not respond to a request for comment, but earlier stated: “The whales … obtain far superior medical attention and constant attention than any individual in the Britain, or anywhere else.”

Uncertain Future and Potential Resolutions

The former employee was dismissed from the park in recent months following the demise of Eos, an sick beluga the employees had to euthanize. She said the facility thought particulars of the incident were leaked to the media and she was released not long after.

The lack of clarity over the whales’ future has left her and staff members in anguish. She says the park’s warning to euthanize its whales is a negotiation tactic and is a “logistically impossible” endeavor, adding any plans to humanely kill even a one beluga would require “significant staff”, equipment and machinery.

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

Burgess supports demands for the whales to be taken promptly from the park, with its failing enclosures and shrinking team.

In the autumn, the nation’s government official denied a request to send the whales to an overseas location.

“Allowing the request would have meant a continued situation in enclosure and a return to display for amusement,” the minister commented. “As society, we know that marine mammals should be in the wild, not in tanks for our amusement. I could not in good conscience permit an export that would prolong the situation these belugas have endured.”

But Burgess said the official’s statements reveal a wider lack of awareness of the realities of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.

“The society needs to grasp these are whales that have lived entirely in enclosed habitats and they will need human care for the foreseeable future,” she said. “People just don’t realize that it’s not as easy as saying ‘shut it down’.”

Sanctuary Proposal and Continuing Discussion

As officials work to find a solution, ideas have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. An idea called for the belugas to be let go into the natural habitat of Canada’s north – where whales are a important part of sustenance for Inuit communities.

A suggested refuge in the region of eastern Canada, which recently received government approval, has proven contentious. The prospective facility, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Supporters remain optimistic that it could ultimately represent a permanent solution for some of the whales.

But, the former trainer says, among staff she’s consulted, there is “skepticism there” about what she said is “simply an untested concept” in the whales’ future.

Some experts say the possibility of a protected habitat reflects a worldwide trend away from animal displays and could represent a workable solution in the near future.

Charles Vinick, leader of the sanctuary project, said the site will mimic the intellectual stimulation and feeding regimen the whales receive from specialists, albeit in a significantly bigger space. He said after the health of whales is fully assessed, which could take months|an extended period|