'It's heartbreaking' Fate of 30 captive belugas in balance amid cruelty row

Jelly Bean's son Bertie Botts is an adorable little "ham sandwich".

- Leyland Cecco

Orion - nicknamed Onion Ring - is a large but fiercely protective friend. Zephyr has "ants in his pants" and wiggles like a worm. Lillooet is the “biggest cuddle bug" with a heart of gold.Thirty captive beluga whales in a Canadian amusement park have become pawns in a tussle between a shuttered park, local and national governments and animal rights activists. But those closest to them say the impassioned debate over their future often overlooks the complexities of the whales, which have been closely studied by the people who see them each day.

After the federal government blocked the sale of the belugas to China, Marineland of Canada, the embattled amusement park near Niagara Falls where they are held, threatened to euthanise them unless the federal government covers the cost of keeping them alive. Canada's fisheries minister has rejected that demand, placing the 30 whales in an increasingly precarious situation.

Scientists say that belugas' neuroanatomy, along with their mimicry abilities, problem solving and social skills, suggests they are deeply intelligent mammals - something Kristy Burgess learned firsthand at Marineland.

Burgess spent three years as a beluga trainer, a job that entailed earning the trust of the marine predators.

"Building up those relationships over time takes a lot of consistency and a lot of love. At the beginning, they're very unsure of you," she said. "Eventually, you gain mutual trust and understanding. And they start being more vulnerable with you. It's just so magical and rewarding."

Burgess knew the whales were highly intelligent but says she was nonetheless astounded by the nuances and quirks in their personalities. She developed a particular love for Eve and Cleopatra, two female belugas with contrasting personalities.

"Eve chose me. Cleo made me earn it," she said. "Both changed the way I understand connection."