The beluga known as Jelly Bean’s daughter Bertie Botts is an adorable little “playful character”. The whale Orion – nicknamed “Onion Ring” – is a big but very loyal companion. Another whale, Zephyr has “ants in his pants” and sways like a wiggly creature. Lillooet the beluga is the “biggest cuddle bug” with a gentle spirit.
Thirty captive marine mammals in a Canadian entertainment facility have been caught in a tussle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and animal rights activists.
But those working directly with the whales say the impassioned controversy over their fate often fails to consider the individual traits of the whales who, after spending their lives in enclosed habitats, have been thoroughly researched by the caretakers who work with them regularly.
After the Canadian government prevented the export of the belugas to a foreign facility, the embattled amusement park near the famous falls where they are kept warned to put them down unless the authorities covers the expense of their care. The nation’s marine resources official has denied that request, placing the 30 whales in an ever more uncertain situation.
Scientists say that beluga whales’ brain structure, along with their vocal imitation skills, problem solving and group interactions indicate they are deeply intelligent animals – something one caretaker learned directly.
She spent several years as a whale caretaker, a position that entailed gaining confidence of the marine predators.
“Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of regularity and a lot of care. At the beginning, they’re very wary of you,” she said. “Eventually, you gain mutual trust. And they start being more open with you. It’s just so wonderful and gratifying.”
Burgess knew the whales were exceptionally cognitive, but she says she was nevertheless astounded by the nuances and unique traits in their characters. She developed a deep bond for Eve and Cleopatra with contrasting natures.
“One whale selected me. Cleo made me earn it,” she said. “Both changed the way I view bonding.”
Her connection with the whales evolved against a backdrop of growing public opposition to their confinement.
During her three years at the facility, seven belugas and the park’s one orca, the orca, succumbed. In total, nineteen belugas have perished at the park since recent years, a number which the facility ascribes to natural mortality, but which activists say points to the substandard environment in which they were kept.
The facility did not open to the public over the recent season, but the former trainer says she saw with her own eyes results of the cessation. “Concrete is breaking off from the pools because they’re falling apart and not being maintained. The whales are exploratory and so they grab fragments and swim around with pieces in their jaws. It’s distressing to see.”
The park did not respond to a inquiry, but earlier claimed: “The whales … get far higher quality health care and around the clock attention than any human in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else.”
Burgess was fired from the park in early March following the death of a beluga, an sick beluga the caretakers had to humanely kill. She said the facility suspected details of the death were shared to the press 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 facility’s ultimatum to end the lives of its whales is a bargaining chip and is a “extremely difficult” undertaking, adding any plans to humanely kill even a individual beluga would require “immense personnel”, vehicles and specialized tools.
“It’s impossible in hell the caretakers would ever do it,” she said.
She supports demands for the whales to be transferred promptly from the facility, with its crumbling tanks and shrinking team.
In recent months, Canada’s government official rejected a bid to transfer the whales to China.
“To approve the proposal would have meant a perpetual life in confinement and a return to public entertainment,” the official wrote. “As the public, we know that marine mammals should be in the sea, not in enclosures for our enjoyment. I could not in ethical standing authorize an transfer that would continue the conditions these belugas have experienced.”
But the former trainer said the official’s remarks reveal a broader incorrect perception of the circumstances of existence for belugas living their whole lives in enclosures.
“The public needs to understand these are whales that have spent their whole lives in enclosed habitats and they will need constant supervision for the rest of their years,” she said. “The public just don’t comprehend that it’s not as easy as saying ‘end operations’.”
As officials work to find a solution, suggestions have surfaced, some of which have little basis in reality. A suggested plan called for the belugas to be released into the wilds of the Arctic – where whales are a important part of food for Indigenous peoples.
A planned refuge in the province of Nova Scotia, which now received government approval, has shown to be highly debated. The future location, which includes extensive space of enclosed sea water, remains undeveloped. Proponents remain positive that it could ultimately represent a long term answer for some of the whales.
But, the former trainer says, among trainers she’s consulted, there is “doubts there” about what she said is “only an untested concept” in the whales’ future.
Different voices say the prospect of a sanctuary represents a worldwide trend away from zoos and aquariums and could represent a viable plan in the short term.
Charles Vinick, director of the sanctuary project, said the location will simulate the cognitive activities and feeding regimen the whales obtain from specialists, albeit in a much larger space. He said after the medical condition of whales is thoroughly evaluated, which could take months|an extended period|
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