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Captive Orca Population

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by katinakalinakaterina, 29 May 2019.

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  1. katinakalinakaterina

    katinakalinakaterina Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Just thought I would create an up-to-date list for anyone who is interested:
    - North America
    - Marineland Ontario (Canada)
    - Kiska (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/10/1979) (Iceland)

    - Miami Seaquarium (Florida)
    - Lolita (Female) (Wild Caught) (08/08/1970) (Penn Cove)
    - SeaWorld Orlando (Florida)
    - Katina (Female) (Wild Caught) (26/10/1978) (Iceland)
    - Trua (Male) (Captive Born) (23/11/2005) (Takara & Taku)
    - Nalani (Female) (Captive Born) (18/09/2006) (Katina & Taku)
    - Malia (Female) (Captive Born) (12/03/2007) (Taima & Tilikum)
    - Makaio (Male) (Captive Born) (09/10/2010) (Katina & Tilikum)

    - SeaWorld San Antonio (Texas)
    - Takara (Female) (Captive Born) (09/07/1991) (Kasatka & Kotar)
    - Kyuquot (Male) (Captive Born) (24/12/1991) (Haida II & Tilikum)
    - Tuar (Male) (Captive Born) (22/06/1999) (Kalina & Tilikum)
    - Sakari (Female) (Captive Born) (07/01/2010) (Takara & Tilikum)
    - Kamea (Female) (Captive Born) (06/12/2013) (Takara & Kshamenk)

    - SeaWorld San Diego (California)
    - Corky II (Female) (Wild Caught) (12/12/1969) (Pender Harbour)
    - Ulises (Male) (Wild Caught) (19/11/1980) (Iceland)
    - Orkid (Female) (Captive Born) (23/09/1988) (Kandu V & Orky II)
    - Keet (Male) (Captive Born) (02/02/1993) (Kalina & Kotar)
    - Shouka (Female) (Captive Born) (25/02/1993) (Sharkane & Kim II)
    - Nakai (Male) (Captive Born) (01/09/2001) (Kasatka & Tilikum)
    - Ikaika (Male) (Captive Born) (25/08/2002) (Katina & Tilikum)
    - Kalia (Female) (Captive Born) (21/12/2004) (Kasatka & Keet)
    - Makani (Male) (Captive Born) (14/02/2013) (Kasaka & Kshamenk)
    - Amaya (Female) (Captive Born) (02/12/2014) (Kalia & Ulises)

    - South America
    - Mundo Marino (Argentina)
    - Kshamenk (Male) (Wild Caught) (19/09/1992) (Argentina)

    - Europe
    - Centre for Adaptation of Marine Mammals (TINRO) (Russia)
    - Leha (Male) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Tihon (Male) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Vitas (Female?) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Zoya (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Zina (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Gaika (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Forest (Unknown) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Harja (Unknown) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Vasilievna (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)
    - Alexandra (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/08/2018) (Russia)

    - Loro Parque (Spain)
    - Keto (Male) (Captive Born) (17/06/1995) (Kalina & Kotar)
    - Tekoa (Male) (Captive Born) (08/11/2000) (Taima & Tilikum)
    - Kohana (Female) (Captive Born) (03/05/2002) (Takara & Tilikum)
    - Skyla (Female) (Captive Born) (09/02/2004) (Kalina & Tilikum)
    - Morgan (Female) (Wild Caught) (23/06/2010) (The Netherlands)
    - Adan (Male) (Captive Born) (13/10/2010) (Kohana & Keto)
    - Ula (Female) (Captive Born) (22/09/2018) (Morgan & Keto/Tekoa)

    - Marineland Antibes (France)
    - Inouk (Male) (Captive Born) (23/02/1999) (Sharkane & Kim II)
    - Wikie (Female) (Captive Born) (01/06/2001) (Sharkane & Kim II)
    - Moana (Male) (Captive Born) (16/03/2011) (Wikie & Ulises)
    - Keijo (Male) (Captive Born) (20/11/2013) (Wikie & Valentin)

    - Moskvarium (Russia)
    - Narnia (Female) (Wild Caught) (11/08/2012) (Russia)
    - Nord (Male) (Wild Caught) (13/08/2013) (Russia)
    - Naja/Malishka/Juliet (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/07/2014) (Russia)

    - Asia
    - Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (China)
    - Tyson? (Male) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Orpheus? (Male) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Male (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Male (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Male (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Nukka? (Female) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Grace? (Female) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Female (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Female (Wild Caught) (Russia)

    - Kamogawa Sea World (Japan)
    - Lovey (Female) (Captive Born) (11/01/1998) (Stella & Bingo)
    - Lara (Female) (Captive Born) (08/02/2001) (Stella & Bingo)
    - Ran II (Female) (Captive Born) (25/02/2006) (Stella & Bingo)
    - Luna (Female) (Captive Born) (19/07/2012) (Lovey & Oscar)

    - Linyi Polar Ocean World (China) (may hold two (unconfirmed) animals, intend to display four)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)

    - Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium (Japan)
    - Stella (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/10/1987) (Iceland)
    - Earth (Male) (Captive Born) (13/10/2008) (Lovey & Oscar)
    - Lynn (Female) (Captive Born) (13/11/2012) (Stella & Bingo)

    - Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park (China) (temporarily held at Dalian Laohutan Ocean Park)
    - Wow? (Male) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Dora? (Female) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Male (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Female (Wild Caught) (Russia)

    - SunAsia Beluga Whale World (China)
    - Intends to hold orcas, none at present

    - Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom (China)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)
     
  2. FunkyGibbon

    FunkyGibbon Well-Known Member

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    Shanghai's animals are already onshow there.
     
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  3. katinakalinakaterina

    katinakalinakaterina Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Yes, it was just to say where they had been, I think one of the others in China is either a temporary holding facility or has them held at another facility.
     
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  4. katinakalinakaterina

    katinakalinakaterina Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Having posted this thread, it got me thinking about the future of each of these institutions in terms of how much longer they will hold orcas. These are just my thoughts, if anyone thinks/knows any different feel free to discuss.

    North America:
    Marineland Ontario:
    Kiska will likely be their last orca due to legislative restrictions, it would also probably generate much public outrage if they were to bring in more animals given the reaction at the moment.
    Miami Seaquarium:
    Lolita will also likely be the last orca held at the facility, due to the size of the pool being smaller than the limit set out in the regulations, as well as public outcry.
    SeaWorld Orlando:
    Current animals will be the last due to company wide breeding ban.
    SeaWorld San Antonio:
    Current animals will be the last due to company wide breeding ban.
    SeaWorld San Diego:
    Current animals will be the last due to company wide breeding ban, state law also prohibits the breeding or transportation of animals, prompting the company breeding ban.
    Conclusion:
    Orcas will eventually cease to be displayed.

    South America:
    Mundo Marino:
    Have held multiple animals in the past, currently hold only one, have not recently acquired animals. Unlikely to transfer the current animal despite calls to do so as it belongs to the country as opposed to the park.
    Conclusion:
    May acquire more animals in the future but this is pure speculation.

    Europe:
    Marineland Antibes:
    Current animals are all related, unsure of current legislation but at one point breeding was banned. May reach out to other parks for AI.
    Loro Parque:
    Animals originally owned by SeaWorld, ownership was transferred after Morgan became pregnant despite pledging to end orca breeding. Will likely continue to breed animals into future despite all the animals, barring Morgan, being related.
    TINRO:
    A holding facility for captured animals before they are sold to other parks, will continue to hold animals as captures continue.
    Moskvarium:
    Could acquire more animals in the future or begin breeding current animals.
    Conclusion:
    Orca will continue to be displayed, likely via breeding, nto the future.

    Asia:
    Kamogawa Sea World and Port of Nagoya:
    Both hold related animals and one holds only females, the animals are leased between the parks. At least one has confirmed they would look to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and/or other parks to pursue AI.
    Chimelong Ocean Kingdom:
    Has confirmed they are building an orca breeding base so will continue to hold the animals for the foreseeable future.
    Linyi Polar Ocean World, Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom and Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park:
    Can acquire more animals and may look to breed their current animals.
    Conclusion:
    Will continue to display and acquire/breed orcas into the future.
     
  5. TheAmurTiger

    TheAmurTiger Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Mundo Marino will not hold orcas again. Kshamenk is owned by the government of Argentina because he's technically classified as a rescue. Capture is illegal in Argentina, and the exportation of native fauna is also illegal.

    France never overturned the breeding ban. Loro Parque's population is far from sustainable, but I don't believe they are going to take Russian orcas for fear of public outcry.

    TINRO was forced to release the whales as they were captured illegally and began to freeze nearly to death over winter (similar to the disaster in Iceland in 1978-1979 that killed several recently captured orcas). The quota for killer whale captures in Russia was set to 0 for 2019. Further capture is unlikely. It's possible it will resume in 2020 or further in the future. As of right now, it seems Putin is actually pretty receptive to animal activists because he's supposedly an "animal person."

    Kamiya was Seaworld has also looked into other facilities for sperm donors. Kshamenk, Keet, and Ulises are the only living males trained for AI that I'm aware of, but reports of attempts to train Kyuquot and Inouk also exist. Inouk may be fully trained, Ky supposedly never figured it out. Inouk, Keet, Uly are definitely possible options, even with the breeding bans. I don't know the exact extent of the French ban.

    The future looks like orca captivity will be constricted to Japan, China, Russia, and maybe Spain.
     
  6. Almiquí

    Almiquí Active Member

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    Perhaps the new law of animal treating in Russia has something to do with stopping the capture of orcas in Russian waters?
    The law it's mostly focussed in domestic animals but has some points regarding wild animals.
    The law on responsible treatment of animals in Russia . English version
     
  7. katinakalinakaterina

    katinakalinakaterina Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Figured this list needed an update after the last few weeks:

    - North America
    - Marineland Ontario (Canada)
    - Kiska (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/10/1979) (Iceland)

    - Miami Seaquarium (Florida)
    - Lolita (Female) (Wild Caught) (08/08/1970) (Penn Cove)

    - SeaWorld Orlando (Florida)
    - Katina (Female) (Wild Caught) (26/10/1978) (Iceland)
    - Trua (Male) (Captive Born) (23/11/2005) (Takara & Taku)
    - Nalani (Female) (Captive Born) (18/09/2006) (Katina & Taku)
    - Malia (Female) (Captive Born) (12/03/2007) (Taima & Tilikum)
    - Makaio (Male) (Captive Born) (09/10/2010) (Katina & Tilikum)

    - SeaWorld San Antonio (Texas)
    - Takara (Female) (Captive Born) (09/07/1991) (Kasatka & Kotar)
    - Kyuquot (Male) (Captive Born) (24/12/1991) (Haida II & Tilikum)
    - Tuar (Male) (Captive Born) (22/06/1999) (Kalina & Tilikum)
    - Sakari (Female) (Captive Born) (07/01/2010) (Takara & Tilikum)
    - Kamea (Female) (Captive Born) (06/12/2013) (Takara & Kshamenk)

    - SeaWorld San Diego (California)
    - Corky II (Female) (Wild Caught) (12/12/1969) (Pender Harbour)
    - Ulises (Male) (Wild Caught) (19/11/1980) (Iceland)
    - Orkid (Female) (Captive Born) (23/09/1988) (Kandu V & Orky II)
    - Keet (Male) (Captive Born) (02/02/1993) (Kalina & Kotar)
    - Shouka (Female) (Captive Born) (25/02/1993) (Sharkane & Kim II)
    - Nakai (Male) (Captive Born) (01/09/2001) (Kasatka & Tilikum)
    - Ikaika (Male) (Captive Born) (25/08/2002) (Katina & Tilikum)
    - Kalia (Female) (Captive Born) (21/12/2004) (Kasatka & Keet)
    - Makani (Male) (Captive Born) (14/02/2013) (Kasaka & Kshamenk)

    - South America
    - Mundo Marino (Argentina)
    - Kshamenk (Male) (Wild Caught) (19/09/1992) (Argentina)

    - Europe
    - Loro Parque (Spain)
    - Keto (Male) (Captive Born) (17/06/1995) (Kalina & Kotar)
    - Tekoa (Male) (Captive Born) (08/11/2000) (Taima & Tilikum)
    - Kohana (Female) (Captive Born) (03/05/2002) (Takara & Tilikum)
    - Morgan (Female) (Wild Caught) (23/06/2010) (The Netherlands)
    - Adan (Male) (Captive Born) (13/10/2010) (Kohana & Keto)

    - Marineland Antibes (France)
    - Inouk (Male) (Captive Born) (23/02/1999) (Sharkane & Kim II)
    - Wikie (Female) (Captive Born) (01/06/2001) (Sharkane & Kim II)
    - Moana (Male) (Captive Born) (16/03/2011) (Wikie & Ulises)
    - Keijo (Male) (Captive Born) (20/11/2013) (Wikie & Valentin)

    - Moskvarium (Russia)
    - Narnia (Female) (Wild Caught) (11/08/2012) (Russia)
    - Nord (Male) (Wild Caught) (13/08/2013) (Russia)
    - Naja/Malishka/Juliet (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/07/2014) (Russia)

    - Asia
    - Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (China)
    - Tyson? (Male) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Orpheus? (Male) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Male (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Male (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Male (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Nukka? (Female) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Grace? (Female) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Female (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown Female (Wild Caught) (Russia)

    - Kamogawa Sea World (Japan)
    - Lovey (Female) (Captive Born) (11/01/1998) (Stella & Bingo)
    - Lara (Female) (Captive Born) (08/02/2001) (Stella & Bingo)
    - Ran II (Female) (Captive Born) (25/02/2006) (Stella & Bingo)
    - Luna (Female) (Captive Born) (19/07/2012) (Lovey & Oscar)

    - Linyi Polar Ocean World (China) (may hold two (unconfirmed) animals, intend to display four)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)

    - Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium (Japan)
    - Stella (Female) (Wild Caught) (??/10/1987) (Iceland)
    - Earth (Male) (Captive Born) (13/10/2008) (Lovey & Oscar)
    - Lynn (Female) (Captive Born) (13/11/2012) (Stella & Bingo)

    - Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park (China)
    - Dillon/Dylan (Male) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Dora (Female) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Shawn II (Male) (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Cookie (Female) (Wild Caught) (Russia)

    - SunAsia Beluga Whale World (China)
    - Intends to hold orcas, none at present

    - Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom (China)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)
    - Unknown (Wild Caught) (Russia)
     
    Last edited: 27 Aug 2021
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  8. katinakalinakaterina

    katinakalinakaterina Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Updates/Changes:
    - North America (SeaWorld San Diego)
    - Amaya (Female) (Captive Born) (02/12/2014) (Kalia x Ulises) died on 19/08/2021

    - South America
    - No changes

    - Europe (TINRO Centre)
    - The 10 surviving whales that were captured in 2018 were released between 27/06/2019 and 22/08/2019
    - The quota (total allowable catch) for killer whales in Russia has been set at zero until 2023

    - Europe (Loro Parque)
    - Skyla (Female) (Captive Born) (09/02/2004) (Kalina x Tilikum) died on 11/03/2021
    - Ula (Female) (Captive Born) (22/09/2018) (Morgan x Keto) died on 10/08/2021
    - It is unclear at this time where this leaves Loro Parques plans to expand orca ocean as they stated in 2018 they wished to wait 3 to 4 years after Morgan gave birth, further news was released in early 2020 stating that the park had purchased the land next to orca ocean and planned to construct an additional 1.5 million gallon tank, construction was believed to be planned to begin in 2021 but there have been no further updates. Breeding is likely to continue as Kohana and Morgan are proven breeders.

    - Asia (Shanghai)
    - The names of the four whales have been confirmed, the two males are Dillon/Dylan and Shawn II and the two females are Dora and Cookie.
     
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  9. katinakalinakaterina

    katinakalinakaterina Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Unconfirmed reports out of Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park state that Cookie gave birth to a calf on or around the 9th September, there has been no information direct from the facility, but to my knowledge they do not give updates about any of their animals. The gender of the calf is unknown.

    Taken from a Facebook post:
    Breaking news! COOKIE GAVE BIRTH at Shanghai. The orca show was suspended last month in Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, during which an orca calf was born on September 9th, 2021. The infant was said to not be in good condition after birth. Cookie, was captured in Russia's Sea of Okhotsk in 2015 at the estimated age of 3.
    1. The mother failed to establish a bond with her calf after giving birth. According to the footage at the time, there were many staff onlookers who might disturb the calf to a certain extent.
    2. The calf did not nurse within 24 hours after birth. Even if the mother wanted to approach the calf, it swam in all directions in the pool for a long time without following her.
    3. At present, the baby is kept separately and mainly fed with formula. Mother’s milk is not plentiful.
    4. The calf has hit the pool wall and the fence and the snout was broken and blood oozed from the skin.
    Vía Sharon Chan China Cetacean Alliance China Orcas Ningyo Source: China Cetaceans Alliance -> 微博
     
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  10. Mai Thai

    Mai Thai Well-Known Member

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  11. TinoPup

    TinoPup Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Interesting phrasing :p They didn't *decide*, they were told she can no longer be on exhibit, or they wouldn't get an exhibitor license at all. There's no sanctuary to send her to.
     
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  12. Mai Thai

    Mai Thai Well-Known Member

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    My bad :p. Yes which is why I really don’t understand what the mayor and peta are trying to do. Toki’s case is pretty messy because the only facility she could be transferred two would a one of the Sea World Parks which would create lots of outrage with activists. A sanctuary is currently being built in Nova Scotia but it will be years before that is ready.
     
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  13. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    As @TinoPup has mentioned, there’s currently no sanctuary to send her to. There are plans to build the first whale sanctuary in North America next year - but this project has a long way to go and there’s no guarantee it will come to fruition: North America’s First Sanctuary For Rescued Whales Set to Open in 2023

    In my opinion, the best option is to send her to Sea World, where she’ll at least have the companionship of her own species if there’s a pod they feel she could be integrated into.
     
  14. Mai Thai

    Mai Thai Well-Known Member

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    I completely agree. Even if she can not be integrated into a new pod, Sea World offers her more space and better care than if she were to stay at the Seaqurium.
     
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  15. TinoPup

    TinoPup Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    And she's fairly old, to the point moving her that far wouldn't be great for her anyway. The mayor probably just wants the anti-cap props and doesn't know much of anything about the subject, like is often the case with politicians.
     
  16. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Sadly you see this all to often, with politicians trying to win favour by making misinformed statements that play to public opinion (or at least try to).

    The worst case I’ve seen was somebody publicly decrying Wellington Zoo’s lions living in barred cage that was no match for the life they once lived in Africa. The lions didn’t live in a barred cage (it’s an open air exhibit) and they were born in captivity like 99% of the captive population.
    I agree Sea World will be best equipped to meet her needs, given their husbandry experience with geriatric Orca.
     
  17. TinoPup

    TinoPup Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    Happy the elephant is another major example of it happening. They expect their interns, etc to learn about these things for them, but interns are overworked, and there's so many issues that specific ones don't get much attention.

    I really hope she goes to seaworld. They have the ability to care for her, and the experience. She couldn't have a better end to her life than living there.
     
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  18. Zoofan15

    Zoofan15 Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I’m thinking Sea World Florida would be the best choice. Aside from being closest and reducing the stress of transit on a geriatric whale, they have a small pod headed by Katina as the matriarch.

    Katina is patient and sweet natured and has previously accepted new Orca into the pod e.g. Kayla, who Katina spent a lot of time with prior to Kayla’s death. She would be the ideal companion for a whale who’s lived on her own for a while and may be lacking in social skills versus a more aggressive matriarch.

    This could be trialled first, with the other Sea World parks available as a contingency if she didn’t settle there.
     
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  19. Jambo

    Jambo Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I'd honestly like to see her sent to Seaworld Calfornia, where she can be introduced to Corky, who is the only other pacific orca left in captivity. Corky is sweet natured, and is known as the 'welcome whale' over there.

    Katina is an icelandic orca, and in the past at Seaworld, issues have presented due to whales not being able to understand each other, due to being from different places and communicating through different dialects. Kandu, an Icelandic orca at San Diego died after charging at Corky in an attempt to assert dominance. Kasatka, the later matrairch of San Diego's pod also experienced issues with Corky, as did Ulises (one of their bulls), for the same reason.

    Katina, although being quite sweet natured towards the trainers is rather the opposite. She's had issues in the past with other orcas, including her own daughter, Kalina, and even Kayla, who later had to be separated from her. Recently Katina has begun to have issues with Malia, who is attempting to gain dominance as well.

    The best option may be to integrate her with the two boys, Trua and Makaio, both of whom are young and pretty tolerating compared to the girls. Males are naturally lower in the hierarchy than the girls and so Lolita would be able to establish dominance quicker and much more effectively.
     
  20. Hyak_II

    Hyak_II Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Canada
    I personally, do not want tokitae to be moved. That animal has lived in complete social isolation from other orcas for 42 years, and has been in the exact same habitat for even longer.

    While I do wish overall she could be in a better habitat and have same species social companions, at this point in her life, I would be incredibly concerned that trying to do that would kill her. Although she is generally known as a fairly healthy and good natured animal, she’s also EXTREMELY change adversive (to the point where if she misses a que during a routine session and receives an LRS, she will break control to fast swim in agitation), and she’s also by all accounts, very old. The combination of such extreme change, coupled with her overall agent personality, could very well cause enough stress to do the poor whale in. If she was 30 years younger, I would say it would definitely be worth a chance, but at this point, is it really worth it?

    Back in my aquarium days, I was heavily involved in the training field, and attended a number of conferences and meet ups where I got to talk to her actual trainers in a candid fashion (not the usual public perception spiel they give to the general public). They all love her and wish she had better living conditions, but none of them want them want them changed now, for the mentioned reasons above. if they were somehow able to construct an additional pool onto the whale bowl where it currently is, merely sectioning off the little back portion of the pool with watertight gates to complete the link to the new addition, I think that would be fine with her, as she could then enter the new habitat at her own pace, but anything more than that would have to be taken with extreme, extreme caution.
     
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