The history of killer whales, commonly known as orcas, in captivity began in the 1960s and has evolved into a complex issue. Initially, the capture and display of orcas gained traction as public aquariums and marine theme parks sought to showcase these magnificent creatures, which are renowned for their intelligence, size, and playful behavior. Capturing orcas involved using various methods, often leading to distress for these highly social animals, who typically live in tight-knit family pods in the wild.
As orcas were placed in captivity, they became performers in elaborate shows, captivating audiences with their agility and trained behaviors. However, the practice soon faced increasing scrutiny and criticism. Activists and marine biologists raised ethical concerns about the negative impacts of captivity, including the psychological stress caused by separation from their families and the confinement to small tanks that do not mimic their natural habitats.
Additionally, there are significant safety concerns regarding trainers who work with these large, powerful animals. Incidents involving attacks have highlighted the risks associated with both the animals' wellbeing and the safety of those who interact with them.
As a result of growing awareness and advocacy, many organizations and public figures now push for more humane treatment of orcas, calling for an end to their capture for entertainment purposes and advocating for better conservation strategies that allow these creatures to thrive in their natural environments.
Capture Techniques
In the 1960s and 1970s, marine biologists Don Goldsberry and Ted Griffin pioneered a netting technique specifically designed for capturing orcas in Puget Sound. This innovative method involved using large, specially designed nets that allowed for the safe and efficient capture of these magnificent marine mammals. Once captured, the orcas were sold to prominent marine parks such as SeaWorld and various other aquariums across the United States and beyond, where they were often displayed in public exhibits and performances. This practice contributed to the growing interest in orcas and their behaviors among audiences worldwide.
Icelandic Captures
Between 1976 and 1989, the waters around Iceland became a significant site for the capture of orcas, with at least 54 individuals taken from their natural habitat. These orcas were sold to marine parks and aquariums around the globe, a practice that raised concerns about the ethical implications of keeping such intelligent and social animals in captivity. Among the captured orcas was Keiko, who gained international fame as the star of the film *Free Willy*. Keiko's story highlighted the challenges faced by captive orcas and raised awareness about their need for conservation and rehabilitation, leading to efforts aimed at returning him to the wild.
As of January 2024, there are at least 54 orcas in captivity at various marine parks around the world. Here’s a detailed breakdown by country and location:
- SeaWorld (United States): There are 18 orcas spread across three SeaWorld parks, which include SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld Orlando, and SeaWorld San Antonio. These parks are known for their marine animal shows and educational programs.
- Argentina: One male orca named Kshamenk is housed at Mundo Marino, a marine park located in Buenos Aires. Kshamenk is notable for being the only orca in Argentina and has been part of various research efforts.
- France: At Marineland in Antibes, there are 2 orcas. Marineland is one of the largest marine parks in Europe and features a range of marine attractions, including animal shows and exhibits.
- Japan: The nation houses a total of 7 orcas across different locations, including Kamogawa SeaWorld, Nagoya, and Kobe Suma SeaWorld. Each facility offers various educational programs and experiences involving these marine mammals.
- Russia: In Russia, there is 1 adult orca, along with a recent calf at a facility that is not widely publicized. These orcas are part of ongoing conservation and research efforts.
- China: The most significant population is found in China, where there are 20 orcas distributed among three major parks: Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean World, and Wuxi Changqaio Ocean Kingdom. These parks have gained attention for their large-scale marine exhibits and shows.
These facilities often face scrutiny from animal rights advocates who call for improved conditions and eventual release into the wild for captive marine mammals.
The ocean theme park industry in China continues to grow, although the pace has slowed in the past five years. Currently, there are around 100 ocean theme parks in operation, with several more under construction. These parks are home to over 1,300 cetaceans from 15 different species, with bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales being the most commonly found.
In 2019, the China Cetacean Alliance published the second edition of a report on the state of these parks, available in both English and Chinese. The report was based on web searches, reviews of international databases, and on-site visits to more than 30 parks. A third edition is scheduled for release in late 2024.
Consent has long been a grey area at Sea World Resorts. Touch tanks are still features, and although kids love them, it teaches them the wrong message. In reality, animals should initiate contact, not humans.
Sea World also came under fire for their dolphin and orca breeding programs (which ceased in 2016). Males were masturbated by their trainers for sperm, and females were forcibly impregnated. One orca, Tilikum, fathered 21 calves, but it was reported that only half had survived.
Many of their artificial insemination operations were questionable, including the case of a dolphin named Ringer. She was impregnated by her own father and had several babies, but all of them died (the mammal mortality rate is high for those born out of incest).
SeaWorld's breeding program for orcas was far from benign. It involved administering drugs to accelerate female orca breeding cycles, as well as extensive use of artificial insemination. For instance, Kasatka, the mother of Takara, was on medication when she was bred by SeaWorld and is now experiencing serious skin disease issues.
Most of the orcas at SeaWorld today are born in captivity. Both SeaWorld and much of the scientific community agree that orcas bred in captivity cannot be successfully released back into the wild. Therefore, the only reason SeaWorld breeds orcas is to provide more for its popular shows, which resemble a circus. In these performances, orcas are made to perform tricks that are often unnatural compared to their behavior in the wild, all in front of live audiences with loud music.
Former SeaWorld trainer and Blackfish cast member Dr. Jeffrey Ventre explained that “working weight” refers to an animal needing a reduced food intake. For instance, he might say, “Kayla has been disrupting shows for the past several days by refusing to separate from the main show pool. We need to find her optimal working weight to ensure that more shows are not disrupted.” Ventre elaborated, “Food deprivation is built into training programs that rely on operant conditioning. SeaWorld uses food deprivation regularly, and I’ve written about it.”
SeaWorld states on its website that it employs “positive reinforcement” to train its whales. This type of training rewards animals for performing desired behaviors. While widely used across many species, including K9 training, it does also incorporate other rewards besides food, like favorite toys. However, the training process invariably begins with food.
Former trainers, speaking anonymously, have shared videos revealing that they witnessed food deprivation firsthand. One anonymous trainer mentioned that withholding food was done for various reasons, including breeding, water temperatures, visits from VIPs or management, the park’s owner, and the filming of TV shows or documentaries. The objective was to make the animals "work harder." For example, when some animals need medications daily, they would receive small amounts of fish to deliver the meds.
Reducing an animal’s caloric intake over a few days increases its food motivation, which enhances the likelihood of cooperation. This strategy was often employed during visits from VIPs. For example, whenever August Busch, the then-owner of SeaWorld parks, visited, trainers would typically know about it a week in advance and were instructed to lower all animals' food rations in the days leading up to his visit. The approach proved to be extremely effective.
Trainers could report an animal’s misbehavior, which could lead to a reduction in food intake. Although SeaWorld denies this practice now, they simply use different terminology. Instead of ordering a “base cut,” they refer to it as finding the animals' "ideal working weight." In reality, the animal training management holds more influence at SeaWorld than the veterinarians, whose primary responsibility is to keep the animals healthy enough to continue generating revenue through live performances. The veterinarians' salaries are tied to the shows, and they nearly always comply with these directives.
In 1970, at Puget Sound, a deep inlet of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington, around 90 orcas were followed and herded into a three-acre net by airplanes, speedboats, and thunderous explosives. Terry Newby, a young researcher of marine mammals (in the red and blue jumper), was with the hired captives. Dr. Newby's own photographs document the horrifying catches that resulted in the orcas' lifetime captivity and exploitation in aquariums and marine parks worldwide.
The orcas were trapped and in a desperate attempt to find a way out. For kilometers, their desperate screams could be heard echoing across the cove.
Dr. Newby claims he can still hear their screams today because the shrills, clicks, and squeals were so upsetting and overwhelming. In a state of panic and tension, the orcas raised themselves in the air in the hopes of being rescued by their relatives beyond the nets. The captured orcas screamed for assistance when an older male was by, but he was powerless to assist them because he was in the same situation.
There was no escape.
Speedboats and nets were used to tear young calves from their moms inside the enclosures. All the defenceless moms could do was watch as their kids were hauled away. Never again would they see them. Seven terrified juvenile orcas were drawn nearer and began fighting with all of their might. put in slings. They were taken from their dwellings in the ocean after their last attempt at escape failed.
Never to come back.
One of the seven orcas who were taken, Lolita, looks back at her family and home one last time before being torn from the sea. She has spent more than 45 years in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium and is the sole surviving orca from the captures. The orcas were taken by boats to a wharf on the north side of Penn Cove, across from the Captain Whibey Inn. They were then taken to the Seattle Aquarium by being put onto flat bed trucks.
They had no idea that their agony was only getting started. They were travelling to SeaWorld and other marine parks across the world to perform and perish in small cement pools.
Corky the, female, orca is currently alive and is the longest-surviving orca in captivity, having lived for 48 of her 52 years. She was captured in 1969 from the Northern Resident orca population near Vancouver Island, Canada. In 1987, she was transferred to SeaWorld San Diego.
**Capture:**
Corky was captured in 1969 at the age of four from Pender Harbour, British Columbia. During this traumatic event, she was separated from her mother and seven other whales from her pod, disrupting her natural familial bonds and social structure.
**Early Life:**
After her capture, Corky was initially taken to Marineland of the Pacific, located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. There, she was reunited with three other whales from her pod, which provided her some semblance of familiarity. However, the environment was still a far cry from her natural habitat in the ocean.
**Pregnancy:**
From 1977 to 1987, workers at the now-defunct Marineland of the Pacific in California exploited Corky as a breeding machine, mating her with her own cousin six times. She became the first orca to give birth in captivity in 1977, but her calf tragically died of pneumonia just 11 days later. In 1987, Corky was transferred to SeaWorld San Diego, where her final pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Workers discovered her deceased baby at the bottom of a tank. None of her seven calves survived longer than 47 days. In the wild, Corky would have been able to choose her own mate and learn mothering skills from her pod, greatly increasing the chances of her babies surviving into adulthood. Instead, she was forced to endure the heartbreak of seeing humans take her dead babies from her.
**Spooky:**
Corky’s notable baby, named Spooky, was born on Halloween in 1985 within a small tank, highlighting the inadequate conditions faced by captive orcas. To prevent Spooky from colliding with the tank walls, Corky instinctively placed her face between him and the wall. Due to the confined space, Spooky learned to nurse from the white patch near Corky's eye rather than from her belly. Tragically, Spooky passed away just 11 days after his birth, marking another heart-wrenching moment in Corky's life.
**Captivity and Welfare Concerns:**
Corky’s long life in captivity has sparked a debate about her well-being. Some advocates argue that Corky is now too old and frail to be moved to a new location, believing that such a change could be detrimental to her health. Others strongly feel that she deserves a chance to experience the ocean, suggesting that with proper rehabilitation, she might be able to reintegrate into a more natural environment where she can express her natural behaviors and live more freely, away from the constraints of captivity.
Captured from the waters of Vaughan Bay off the coast of Washington in February 1968 at the age of three, Hugo was sent to the Miami Seaquarium and held in a small enclosure known as the "Celebrity Pool." For 12 years, he entertained tourists in the Whale Bowl alongside Tokitae (Lolita), where they were forced to perform circus-style tricks for food. Tokitae continued to perform in the same cramped tank until 2022, when her health began to decline.
Hugo's story is marked by tragedy and highlights the challenges faced by orcas in captivity:
**Aggressive Behavior**
Hugo was known for his aggressive behavior towards his trainers, often biting and bumping into them. For instance, trainer Chris Christiansen required seven stitches in his cheek after Hugo put his head in his jaws. Trainer Chip Kirk was left with a permanent scar on his arm due to a similar encounter with Hugo.
Hugo also sustained injuries while in captivity. At one point, he severed the tip of his rostrum, requiring a veterinarian to sew it back on. According to a newspaper article from the time, "His powerful drive shattered the acrylic plastic bubble and created a five-inch hole. A piece of jagged plastic severed Hugo's nose."
**Circus-Style Tricks**
Hugo was compelled to perform circus-style tricks for food. On September 24, 1970, a female orca, later named Lolita, arrived at the Miami Seaquarium. Initially, they were kept separate due to concerns about potential fighting. However, they were housed together on June 2, 1971, after they were heard calling to each other across the park. Unbeknownst to the Miami Seaquarium, both Hugo and Lolita were captured from the Southern Resident orca population and shared similar dialects, allowing them to communicate.
**Early Death**
Hugo died from a brain aneurysm at the age of 15 in 1980, which is significantly younger than the typical lifespan of an orca, which often extends into their 90s. Throughout his 12 years in captivity, he repeatedly rammed his head against the tank walls.
Many consider Hugo's death to be a suicide. The Miami Seaquarium removed his body from the tank and disposed of it at an undisclosed location, believed to be the Dade County Landfill. They did not commemorate his life or death, treating it as if he had never existed. Even today, the only mention of him on their website reads: "Miami Seaquarium welcomes the arrival of Hugo, its First Killer Whale to the park."
Lolita has been alone at the Miami Seaquarium ever since.
Hugo's tragic story deserves greater recognition, as many believe it has been overlooked.
Lolita (1966 – August 18, 2023) was a female orca from the southern resident population, captured from the wild in September 1970. She was displayed at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida. After a long career of performing, Lolita was retired from public displays in 2022 and passed away in August 2023.
During her time at the Seaquarium, Lolita lived in a pool that measured 80 feet long, 35 feet wide, and 20 feet deep. She was 22 feet long herself. In the wild, orcas typically dive to depths of several hundred feet.
**Capture**: Lolita was taken from her mother and pod in the Pacific Ocean in 1970 when she was approximately four years old. This capture was part of a larger trend during that era, where many orcas were taken for marine parks and aquariums.
**Captivity**: After her capture, Lolita lived in the Miami Seaquarium, where she was trained to perform tricks and entertain crowds. While performing was seen as a form of engagement, it confined her to a space vastly smaller than her natural habitat, where orcas can roam freely and engage in complex social behaviors.
**Retirement**: In 2022, after years of public scrutiny and growing awareness regarding the welfare of captive orcas, Lolita was retired from her performances and removed from public display. Her health had been a concern for years, leading to a deeper examination of the ethics of keeping such intelligent and social animals in captivity.
**Release Plans**: In March 2023, the Seaquarium announced plans to release Lolita into a protected sea pen in the Salish Sea. This decision was a significant development, as it represented a potential chance for her to experience a more natural environment, although it raised complex questions about her ability to adapt after years of captivity.
**Death**: Tragically, Lolita died suddenly on August 18, 2023, at the age of 57, from suspected renal failure. Her unexpected passing sent shockwaves through conservation circles and the public alike.
**Legacy**: Lolita's death reignited significant criticism regarding the practice of keeping orcas and other marine mammals in captivity. It led to protests in Miami against the Seaquarium and sparked discussions about the rights of marine animals. Furthermore, her story highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by captive marine life and the importance of conservation efforts aimed at protecting their natural habitats.
Lolita’s life and legacy continue to be a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding the ethics of animal captivity and conservation.
Keiko (circa 1976 – 12 December 2003) was an iconic male orca whose life story captured the hearts of many around the world. He was born in the wild in the waters off Iceland, around 1977 or 1978. Tragically, in 1979, he was captured by fishermen in the Atlantic Ocean and transferred to an aquarium in Iceland, where he initially lived in captivity.
Rise to Fame in *Free Willy*
The film's immense popularity brought significant attention to Keiko’s living conditions, which were deemed inadequate. At that time, Keiko was housed in a relatively small pool measuring only 22 feet (6.7 m) deep, 65 feet (20 m) wide, and 114 feet (35 m) long—a stark contrast to the expansive ocean he was meant to inhabit.
The Collaborative Rescue Effort
In response to the public outcry following *Free Willy*, Warner Bros. teamed up with the International Marine Mammal Project in 1996 to take action for Keiko’s welfare. At the time, he was suffering from poor health, being underweight and experiencing a lack of stimulation that had serious implications for his physical and mental well-being.
Rehabilitation in Oregon
Keiko's journey to recovery began when he was flown to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Here, a specially designed tank was constructed to accommodate his needs. The aquarium staff worked diligently to help him regain his strength and improve his health. They surrounded him with enriching environments, encouraging natural behaviors such as swimming and foraging. This phase was crucial for preparing Keiko for a life outside of captivity.
The Return to Iceland
In 1998, after two years of rehabilitation, Keiko was flown back to his homeland in Iceland. He was released into a sea pen located in Klettsvik Bay, a carefully selected area that provided a suitable environment for him to adapt to the wild. During his time in the sea pen, Keiko learned essential skills such as catching fish and navigating the waters independently.
Life and Challenges in the Wild
Keiko's transition to life in the wild was not without its challenges. Although he had been given a second chance, he faced difficulties adapting fully to a life free from human intervention. While he showed promising progress, including successfully hunting, his experiences in captivity had left lasting impacts on his behavior and socialization. Over time, Keiko began to venture further from the pen but ultimately struggled to fully integrate into a wild orca pod.
Tragically, on 12 December 2003, Keiko passed away from pneumonia in a bay in Norway at the age of 27. His journey sparked conversations about the ethics of captivity, animal welfare, and the challenges of reintegrating captive animals into the wild.
One of the most famous orcas in recent history is Tilikum, featured in the CNN documentary *Blackfish* and the subject of the books *Death at SeaWorld* and *Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, SeaWorld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish*. Tilikum is known for killing two of his trainers, Keltie Byrne and Dawn Brancheau, as well as a third individual, Daniel Dukes, who was suspected of having jumped into Tilikum’s tank overnight.
**Capture and Early Life**
Tilikum was captured in Iceland in 1983 and spent time at Sealand of the Pacific in Canada before being transferred to SeaWorld Orlando in 1992.
**Star Attraction**
At SeaWorld, Tilikum became a star attraction and a breeder, fathering 21 calves. Initially, SeaWorld trainers were unaware that Tilikum was directly responsible for Keltie’s death and interacted with him without barriers. They mistakenly believed Keltie had died of hypothermia and thought that Tilikum and the other whales were merely carrying her lifeless body. Unlike other killer whales, however, trainers were not allowed to go underwater and perform tricks with Tilikum. Because SeaWorld officials did not disclose the reason for this restriction, trainers later suspected that the executives were aware of Tilikum’s involvement in Keltie’s death.
**Attacks**
In 1991, at Sealand of the Pacific, two eyewitnesses observed Tilikum attacking 21-year-old Keltie Byrne after she slipped and fell into the tank. While Tilikum dragged Keltie underwater multiple times, the whales Haida II and Nootka IV prevented the Sealand of the Pacific staff from reaching her.
A few months later, Sealand of the Pacific closed, and Tilikum was purchased by SeaWorld and moved to SeaWorld Orlando along with Nootka IV, where he took part in shows and joined SeaWorld’s breeding program.
On the morning of July 6, 1999, Daniel Dukes was found draped over Tilikum's back. It is suspected that Daniel jumped into the tank after hours, but there is also a possibility that Tilikum pulled him in, similar to what occurred with Keltie. Despite numerous cameras in the tanks and night trainers on staff to monitor the animals during the park's closed hours, the circumstances surrounding Daniel Dukes's death remain largely a mystery.
During a “Dine with Shamu” performance at SeaWorld Orlando, veteran animal trainer Dawn Brancheau was conducting a “relationship session” with Tilikum when he dragged her into the pool. The 11-ton orca mutilated her in a 45-minute attack, with her autopsy report documenting injuries not limited to blunt force injuries to her torso, blunt force injuries to her head and neck, and evidence of drowning. Tilikum reportedly severed her spinal cord, bit off her arm, and scalped her.
The captivity industry, particularly SeaWorld officials, attributed Dawn’s death to “trainer error.” However, several former SeaWorld trainers dispute this assertion. Despite four deaths involving orcas owned by SeaWorld, the company claimed in the U.S. Court of Appeals that “contact with killer whales is essential to the product offered by SeaWorld.”
Tilikum died from a bacterial lung infection on January 6, 2017, after months of battling various illnesses. He suffered in captivity for 33 years, but many of his descendants continue to live and perform for audiences at SeaWorld parks.
Tilikum, as a transient orca, would have naturally exhibited aggression to establish territorial boundaries while his pod passed through different areas and to hunt various large prey.
Wild animals, even those born in captivity, like the 21 calves sired by Tilikum, still retain their natural instincts. According to Sam Berg, a former SeaWorld trainer who worked with Tilikum, 54% of the killer whales in SeaWorld facilities carry Tilikum’s genes, making him their "most successful breeder." Berg argues that Tilikum should never have been allowed to breed, especially given his aggressive tendencies. We agree that no cetaceans should be bred in captivity to create new generations of performers.
Tilikum’s offspring have demonstrated that the aggressive instincts of transient orcas have been passed down through generations. Kyuquot, Tilikum’s first-born, nearly killed his trainer, Steve Aibel, in a dramatic attack on July 24, 2004. During the incident, Kyuquot jumped on top of Aibel in an attempt to submerge him, and the horrifying struggle lasted an astonishing ten minutes, while onlookers recorded the event.
Kyuquot, who still resides at SeaWorld San Antonio, is the son of Haida II, who was involved in the death of Keltie Byrne. Following the attack, Kyuquot was removed from shows, kept out of public view, and banned from working with trainers. Despite his clear inherited and natural aggression, Kyuquot went on to sire Kyara, the last orca calf born at SeaWorld parks.
There are no documented cases of wild orcas attacking and killing humans. However, captive orcas have attempted to harm people. Organizations like World Animal Protection and the Animal Welfare Institute discuss the psychological effects of marine mammal captivity in their report "The Case Against Marine Mammals in Captivity," with "The Blackfish Effect" covered on page 87. While many attacks on trainers have not been fatal, they could have easily resulted in serious injury or death.
The documentary *Blackfish* tells the story of Tilikum, an orca involved in the deaths of three people, through the perspectives of former SeaWorld trainers. The film argues that orcas in captivity experience psychological damage, leading to unnatural aggression.
Living in captivity, which cannot replicate the vast swimming, diving, and social interactions that orcas experience in the wild, likely contributed to Tilikum’s aggression due to the psychological suffering he endured.
Keto
Keto spent time in all four of SeaWorld's parks before being sent overseas to Loro Parque in Spain's Canary Islands, where he is on an indefinite loan. SeaWorld does not seem particularly concerned about his well-being, as he was separated from his mother when he was just 3 years old and is now the father of his own inbred half niece. Further highlighting the danger of keeping whales in captivity, in an incident that predated the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau, Keto killed Loro Parque trainer Alexis Martínez during training.
Splash
Splash was separated from his mother when he was two years old and moved from Marineland to SeaWorld San Diego. Some people allege that Splash died from gastrointestinal complications, which may have been caused by his consumption of large amounts of sand that came through his tank’s filtration system. Trainers noted that he often ate this sand. This unnatural fixation could have developed as a result of the stress from constant confinement and boredom.
Kayla and Halyn
Kayla was born in San Antonio, Texas. After about two and a half years, her mother, who is now deceased, moved to Orlando, Florida. SeaWorld later relocated Kayla multiple times across the country, taking her to Ohio, Florida, and back to Texas. Sadly, her calf, Halyn, who died at just two years old, was separated from her almost immediately after birth. This was likely because Kayla, having not grown up in a pod with her family, rejected Halyn. She probably didn’t have the opportunity to learn how to care for a calf.
Tuar
Tuar was taken from his mother in Orlando, Florida, when he was four years old and shipped to San Antonio.
Unna
Unna spent six years living with her mother at SeaWorld Orlando before they were separated. During this time, she reportedly assisted her mother after the birth of her younger sibling, Ikaika. Unna was later taken from her family and transported to San Antonio, where she tragically died at the age of 18 from an infection that is common among orcas in captivity but rare in the wild.
Keet
Keet was born in Texas. When he was one year old, SeaWorld separated him from his mother. In what it claimed was an act of “care,” SeaWorld chose to relocate him repeatedly among its various locations across the country.
Takara
Takara’s mother, Kasatka, reportedly assisted Takara in delivering her first calf, showcasing the strong bond that female orcas typically share in the wild. Following this event, SeaWorld not only separated Takara from her mother after they had been together for 12 years, but also took two of her calves away and sent them to other parks. Tragically, Takara’s youngest baby, Kyara, passed away at just three months old. Takara was unable to be with her sick calf, as SeaWorld had placed them in separate tanks. Less than a month later, Kasatka died without ever seeing her daughter again.
Kohana and Skyla
When Kohana was just 3 years old, she was separated from her mother. They are now living on different continents. Like many other mother whales at SeaWorld who never had the chance to learn how to care for their young, Kohana rejected two of her own calves.
Skyla’s mother, Kalina, who has since passed away, often helped other captive orcas raise their babies. This may be because her own calves, including Skyla, were taken from her and relocated around the world. After two years, Skyla was also taken from her mother and moved to Spain.
Taku
Taku and his mother spent 13 years together at SeaWorld Orlando before he was shipped to SeaWorld San Antonio, where he died 11 months later. Before separating Taku from his mother, SeaWorld allowed them to breed with each other—meaning that Taku’s daughter was also his sister.
Trua
Trua stayed in Orlando, Florida, while his mother was sent to San Antonio after just three years together. They were later reunited, but separated once again the following year.
Katerina
Katerina was separated from her mother, Katina, after two years. Katina had been captured in the wild and taken away from her pod. Tragically, Katerina passed away before her 11th birthday. Katina, on the other hand, has had seven calves during her time at SeaWorld. She currently resides at the Orlando, Florida, park, where only two of her calves have survived to adulthood.
Sumar
Sumar was raised by surrogate mothers after his biological mother, Taima, attacked him when he was just six months old during a live show at SeaWorld Orlando. This behavior likely stemmed from her never having learned to care for calves as she would have in the wild. Sumar passed away at the age of 12, and by that time, his dorsal fin had curled. This phenomenon, while rarely seen in the wild, is common among male orcas held in captivity.
Ikaika
Ikaika was born at SeaWorld Orlando, a popular marine park. At four years old, he was separated from his mother and moved to Marineland in Ontario, Canada. After a few years, he was relocated to SeaWorld San Diego, where he contributes to educational programs on marine conservation.
Tekoa
Tekoa’s mother never learned to care for calves properly, and those who survived were taken from her, including Tekoa, who after three years was moved to Texas and then to Loro Parque, where he’s still kept today. After being bred repeatedly by SeaWorld, Tekoa’s mother ultimately died from complications that arose during the delivery of a stillborn male calf.
Kalina
Kalina was the first orca born in captivity to survive to adulthood and was famously known as “Baby Shamu” by SeaWorld. When she was just 4 years old, she was separated from her mother. Over the next 16 months, she was moved across the country three times to different SeaWorld parks.