Chimelong Ocean Kingdom Chimelong Killer Whale Holding Facility was set up

Well, ok, that might be true. But what is the ethical underpinning there other than 'we want them in zoos'?

It's not a loaded question - I'm not going to backbite in response to your answer. But it's a live question I think.

 

Well the only answer I can give is that the zoos who brought them in want them. I support small scale imports to boost genetic diversity and it helps if a species (aardvarks for example) have had poor breeding results in the past or if there's been a skew of births to one sex and an import can compensate.
And I personally like to see diversity presented well and don't object too much to these captures as the wild isn't always the greatest place to live.

 

How awful

 

Do any of you know if orcas form bachelor groups like elephants or lions do? Cause if that's the case I'd rather see zoos/aquariums go more in that direction

 

It's already been said. There's very few facilities that can hold orcas, so why are they still getting bred? A bachelor group, assuming its natural, would obviously stop breeding and orcas would be able to be showcased without being forced to reproduce, and thus, hopefully less controversy

I hope that all made sense, it's 1 in the morning where I'm at, if it doesn't I'll try again tomorrow

 

Let's look at this another way. Orcas now do so well in captivity that they breed relatively well. With the right management, captive populations could be self-sustaining. Single sex groups could be a part of studbook management, as they are with gorillas and starting to be with elephants. Such groups could even be useful for developing social skills in young males destined for breeding in the future. Works with the other species I mentioned.
Just a question for the self-styled animal experts out there: how do you 'force' a bloody great whale to breed?

 

Orcas do not Form bachelor group in the wild. Both male and females stay in their Natalie group for life. And there is no needle for bachelor groups anyway because breeding results are very poor.

 

With all respect, but: This can't be true. If BOTH genders would stay their entire life in the pods they were born, this would result in extreme inbreeding (And leading to the question how this pods could even have formed).
Also: The reason why breeding results are very poor (if this is the truth either) is just simply because there were (and specially are) not as many breeding facilities and specimens as - let's say - for apes, big cats etc.

 

You should check out the reseach about the resident (fish-eating) orcas in British Columbia and you'll see that it is true. Most breeding happens when bonded families meet, not necessarily within one family.

But I need to correct myself: in the case of transient (mammal-eating) orcas, the younger offspring sometimes do leave their natal groups, but many stay.

 

Well, after correction no more objection