Shamu Stadium

July 25th, 2011.

With slightly declining revenue this year in all of the SeaWorld parks, the infamous documentary "Blackfish" receiving rapturous reviews from film critics, and an evolving public opinion towards cetaceans in captivity...it is interesting to ponder the long-term future of seeing orcas at this establishment. The animals are not reproducing at a rate that will enable a constant stream of baby "Shamus" to entertain future generations, and is it even possible for orcas to be taken from the wild these days? Georgia Aquarium had its request to capture 18 wild beluga whales declined and I cannot imagine a major institution being allowed to trap orcas in order to place them permanently into captivity.

The most intriguing question of all is what will occupy these vast stadiums in the future when there is a strong possibility that eventually there will be zero orcas left to please the masses. Dolphins? Pinnipeds? The world's largest shark tanks? A demolition job?

They'll probably demolish it and build a roller coaster. That seems to be their main MO these days.

Orca's aren't going anywheres any time soon.

Their most recent birth was in February of this year, with the father being located in South America.

There are also two females currently pregnant, one in San Antonio and a second in France. They are also monitoring one of the females at San Diego right now, they will most likely attempt artificially inseminating her within the year as well. However this female has never been pregnant before, and at 25 years old there is a very real possibility that she may never conceive, which is a shame, considering that there is only 1 other animal in captivity related to her, a half sister. (also for reference, most captive females have given birth or at least gotten pregnant by the time they are 14 years old)


Also at present, there are Orca captures occuring in Russia, a female was captured last year and plans for at least a second. To be honest I would not to surprised to see at least a couple of new animals in captivity in the next few years, most likely in Russia and Canada.


Assuming the existing animals are managed properly, and ideally a few new animals are brought from the wild, the captive population will be in good shape. However, with only 6 distinct different lines of males, the captive lines can only thrive for so long before new blood is needed.

What really surprises me is that at The Orlando park, the visitor area is covered by a roof, then at Texas all of the stadium is covered, then in California - no covering at all! What is the deal with this?

It doesn't (often) rain in California like it does in Florida and Texas.

Makes sense - thanks!

Last time I was there it poured...

Is that other orca Orkid? If so Orkid shouldn't be bred she has a shocking attack rate.