SeaWorld Announced that Kyara - Takara's 3-month old Calf had passed away. SeaWorld Veterinarians were treating Kyara for an Infection, possibly Pneumonia - which is very common in Cetaceans - Wild or in a Zoologicial setting. Kyara was born a healthy calf to Takara - mother to 2 other Orcas at the Facility - and sire, Kyuquot. Kyara was introduced to her sisters, Sakari and Kamea as well as the other whales and got along with everyone, despite being closer to Mom. Sadly, Kyara was diagnosed with possible Pneumonia 3 days before her passing. Marine Veterinarians were treating her 24/7 but despite their best efforts, They couldn't cure her. Pneumonia is a common disease found in Wild Orcas as well - In Fact, Researchers of National Center for Biotechnology Information posted a STUDY about effects of Pneumonia and the reasons why it effects wild orcas. Also, According to Research by Marine Biologists, about 50-60% Wild Orca Calves live to their first year due to Exposure to Pollution, Starvation, Disease and harmful Bacteria. PETA as well as other Activists are complete unaware of Animal Welfare needs and Even How to work with these animals or types of situation. No one calls you responsible when you have your dog die at home or if you have to put it to sleep. Why should SeaWorld be called out on something that also occurs IN THE WILD? Wild Killer Whales have no access to Veterinary Care - Hundreds die each year. The Majority of those deaths are calves. Animal Activists like to Blame "captivity" for Kyara's death - when in Reality, No Animal is immortal. 40 Orcas have died in "SeaWorld's Care"? What about these Orcas in this list who didn't reach 30 years of age? ----- SeaWorld currently works with the NFWF (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation) and NOAA - investing thousands to millions - to help keep Wild Orcas stable in their environments. The Research and commitment by SeaWorld is helping preserve Orcas to be witnessed by future generations. ITS THE REALITY of Conservation. No one rarely mentions the benefits of preserving animals - or the research and rescues SeaWorld has done for years to improve the oceans or inspire people to care for these animals. The Reality is that these animals are not immortal. Kyara will surely be missed. Like all animals in a Zoological setting, She was well cared for, protected by many threats & was loved. Our hearts go out to SeaWorld's World Class Veterinary Team and Trainers
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This is the Story of Miracle - a young Killer Whale Rescued by Sealand of the Pacific as well as the Community of Naniamo, BC after she was found orphaned. Malnourished and shot. She was sent to Sealand to Heal and be seen by Guests everywhere. 4 years later, Tragedy Struck. Miracle was found dead. But her death wasn't because of her living conditions... In June of 1977 - A Man named Bill Davis found a Baby Killer Whale - who was weakened and had been shot. Bill befriended the whale and began to feed her by hand. This was all taken place when the public saw Killer Whales as monsters. Bill quickly got in touch with Sealand of the Pacific, who provided immediate Medical Care. The little Orca was rescued and sent to Victoria, BC to Sealand, where she was provided with more care and she bonded well with her human caretakers. Upon hearing her arrival and rescue, Guests were intrigued to see the little Orca and like others before her, They were amazed at how humans could bond with these animals and saw them differently than menaces. The young whale was soon named Miracle. The whale was looked over by the Fisheries and Oceans of Canada and because of her young age, exposure to human attention and the unknown location of her family pod - They deemed Miracle "Unable to be released." However, This message didn't go through to everyone. Animal Rights Activists demanded her to be freed once she was healthy. Each day, Activists protested outside of Sealand for them to "Free Miracle". Some even began threatening to burn Sealand down or Free her themselves - causing Law enforcement to get involved. As time passed, Miracle was soon Healthy and thriving well. She was active and responded fully to her trainers. Sealand Trainers began to teach her how to breach and other Killer Whale Behaviors. Soon enough, She became a performing whale to keep her simulated. The Activists hated this, of course - not understanding Animal Welfare needs and pretty much continued to protest. This didn't keep the tourists out as many from all around came to see Miracle. Suddenly, In 1982 - Miracle was found dead. Her cause of death? Drowning. SCUBA certified Divers of Sealand investigated of how she could have died. They found a narrow opening in the netting of her pen, obviously cut apart to allow her to escape and Miracle's body was found entangled and her body was battered. It was assumed that Activists had attempt to Free her by cutting the nets. Other sources like to say she chewed herself free but no teeth marks were seen - only evidence of either a knife or pliers. No government action was taken sadly but to this day, Miracle's story is shared to aware others that these so-called Activists who want Orcas freed from Human care - Don't care about the Welfare of the whales. They only want to be lost in their agenda and take action for their personal beliefs. Activists also like to say, That she chewed through the netting herself but If that were true, She wouldn't have gotten stuck. The Hole was too narrow to have been chewed through. Also Former Sealand Trainers who appeared in "Blackfish" - the propaganda film on Killer Whales in human care - like to cover up the story as well - claiming she would chew the netting to play around with divers. Not proven to be true. In Blackfish, They mentioned after Tilikum's arrival at Sealand how they kept him in a improved pen at night so in quote "No one would sneak in and cut the nets, releasing the whales." So THAT also confirms Miracle's nets to her pen were cut by Activists if those precautions had to be made. Miracle didn't have to die. She was a rescue. She was thriving and was well socialized. "Freedom" was a death sentence. Miracle's story was also featured in a Documentary, "Who Killed Miracle?" WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: RIP Miracle - another victim of Activist logic - like Keiko.
Tilikum was a 36 year old Male Killer Whale who resided in SeaWorld Orlando and was the Largest Killer Whale in Human Care - at 22.5 ft long and weighing 12,000 lbs. He was also the "star" of the Movie, "Blackfish" but of course, That film was filled with misleading and inaccurate Information. Tilikum sadly passed away at age 36 from Bacterial Pneumonia, a disease common in Wild and Captive Cetaceans. ----------------------------- THIS IS 7 Myths about Tilikum: #1. "Tilikum was captured by SeaWorld" - No. Tilikum was NOT captured by SeaWorld - but by Regular Whale Poachers in Iceland. Tilikum was soon purchased by Sealand of the Pacific in 1983. He remained there until 1991 when He was sold to SeaWorld Orlando, where he remained. #2. "Tilikum was an Aggessive Whale" - Just because Tilikum was involved in 3 deaths DOES NOT indicate that He was aggressive. Other trainers who worked with him each day stated that Tilikum was a highly interactive animal and loved to play with his grandson, Trua or his daughter, Malia. He also loved learning new things and was highly curious about the guests. Tilikum has been observed accepting and even giving affection to his caretakers and the other whales. #3. "Tilikum's Collapsed Dorsal Fin proves He was stressed and sad." - As mentioned in the "Anti-Blackfish" tab, Collapsed or bent Dorsal Fins are NOT an indicator to a Killer Whale's overall health nor is it controlled by Mood. Dorsal Fin Collapse does occur in Wild Orcas. Tilikum, being a male, has a large and heavy Dorsal Fin and since He spent more time at the surface of the water than most Wild Orcas, His Dorsal fin collapsed under its own weight from Gravity. This occurred over years of course. Also, When he Arrived at SeaWorld, His dorsal Fin was already collapsed. #4. "Tilikum was Always Kept Isolated." - False. Tilikum did interact with All the members of the SeaWorld Orlando Pod. He was mostly paired with Trua, his grandson or Malia, his daughter. Before her death in 2010, Taima was also paired with Tilikum. Tilikum and Katina shared a space at times, after all he fathered 4 of her offspring, Taku, Unna, Ikaika and Makaio. Also, Many will say He was "bullied" by the Females - This is highly misleading. As you should know, Females, especially dominant ones, will rake male orcas IF they act up or just to horse play around. This is Natural behavior of Orca Socialization.
#5. "Tilikum died Young." - Tilikum was estimated to be born around 1981 - making him 35-36 years old at his death. According to NOAA, Icelandic Male Orcas live around 30-35 years averagely. Tilikum surely did not die prematurely unlike most Wild Orcas are today - because of Pollution and such. #6 "Tilikum attacked due to stress in captivity" - There is NO research or Psycologicial data to prove this at all. This is like saying Dogs attack people due to stress in their domesticated lives. Many Animal Behaviorists have stated that Tilikum is just not used to humans being in the water with him and so he reacts unpredictably. In Dawn Brancheau's death case, Tilikum may have mistaken that Dawn was his personal play thing - which is why he grabbed her ponytail. There's also a possibility that He didn't know his own strength. One of Dawn's close co-workers, Laura Surovik - stated at the OSHA Hearing how Tilikum seemed to morn her death and nudged her lifeless body and even hanged onto it until Laura asked him to let her go. We have to know that all Animals are prone to attack - for any reason - not just aggession or stress. #7. "Tilikum would've lived better if He was freed." - That is highly doubted and really ridiculous to claim. Tilikum lived to be 36 years of age in Zoologicial Care when most of his Wild counterparts are dying from Pollution, Starvation, Boat Injuries, Nets, and other threats of the Ocean. Yes, Taking him from the Wild shouldn't have happened in the first place - but it Did and All SeaWorld could do was take care of him and keep him well simulated and active. Tilikum was beloved by all who witnessed him. He inspired many to care for his species. Compared to Keiko, Tilikum Would not have survived the Ocean again nor even a Sea pen for several reasons. "Recent studies have found that orcas are amongst the most contaminated marine mammals in the world. Pollution and chemical contamination make orcas more susceptible to disease and likely cause reproductive difficulties." - Defenders of Wildlife.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS THREATENING WILD ORCAS? 1. Habitat Pollution. Water pollution directly affects their health. For example, in the coastal waters of British Columbia (Canada), the presence of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is so high that it is a risk for three populations of orcas visiting areas. In addition, oil spills are very dangerous accidents that. Exposure to pollution causes infertility in female orcas and easily makes their offspring sick, resulting in many pre-mature deaths. 2. Decreased prey. Habitat pollution or any other disturbance to it, as well as overfishing, reduces the number of prey available to orcas. Currently, The Southern Residents are deprived of thie main prey source - Chinook Salmon. 3. Commercial-Hunting. Unlike baleen whales, killer whales have not been massively and systematically hunted, but sometimes they were killed for their fat, skin, flesh and internal organs. In modern times, some native tribes of the Arctic still capture orcas to survive. However, in specific regions hunting to market their bodies has been more common than initially believed. This practice has decreased, there is still hunting in Japan, Greenland, Indonesia and some parts of the Caribbean. 4. Excessive Noise. Killer whales are very sensitive to noise since they use echolocation, so military and industrial activities that generate excessive noise tend to disturb them. 5. Collisions with boats. The crash with any vessel can cause orcas mild to severe wounds that have the potential to get infected and cause their death. 6. Problems with fishermen. Many of them see the orcas as a threat because they have learned to steal the fish from them. For example, fishermen in Brazil say that killer whales are able to consume 50 percent or more of the swordfish catch. Although some choose to implement inoffensive actions to deter killer whales, others with less patience can shoot them. 7. Climate-change. It is an increase in the temperature or in the water level of the oceans affecting their composition, which can also alter the availability of its usual prey. NO Animal deserves to suffer and die like these creatures are EACH DAY. SeaWorld has partnered with the NFWF, NOAA, WWF and other conservation organizations to help save Wild Killer Whales. There is NO SUCH THING as "Wild and Free" anymore. #5. "SeaWorld Deprives Food from their Animals" This is a Very common myth spread by Animal Rights Extremists as well as lying Former (and Fired) Trainers. Food Deprivation absolutely DOES NOT Occur! SeaWorld's Killer Whales receive 150-200+ lbs of Fresh Fish of different varieties Every Day. Their Dolphins receive 50-70+ lbs of Food. Sea Lions at SeaWorld receive 25-50 lbs of food a day. Each individual animal even have their own diets. ALL of SeaWorld's animals are fed throughout the day, regardless of performances! They are Highly well fed, unlike their Wild Counterparts who have to struggle to find food every day. #4. "SeaWorld Separates Mothers and Calfs for Greed or Breeding reasons" This is more of a Misleading claim and a Myth. First things first, The Film, "Blackfish" implies that "Wild Orcas never leave their mothers and are with them for their whole lives." - The Film offers no scientific basis for this statement, If no adult offspring ever leave their mother, there would be no genetic diversity necessary for survival or separate pods of killer whales. It is estimated that there currently exists thousands of pods of killer whales in the wild. Anyway, SeaWorld has in fact moved offspring from their mother BUT Only in Extreme social situations - such as because of endangerment or disrupting members of the group. Mother and calf separation happens when only forced to for the welfare of the animals and was when a calf or offspring was independant from the mother or a young adult! The Film used the "Kasatka - Takara separation" - using footage of baby Kalina to imply that Takara was a baby when separated from Kasatka - Takara was 12 years old, an adult female with her own calf, who was moved with her to Florida. Another example is Sumar being separated from his mother, Taima - Taima was actually trying to drown her own offspring and SeaWorld was forced to remove him and send him to San Diego where Corky became his replacement mother. SeaWorld hasn't separated a Mother and offspring since the late 90s - early 00s. Many of SeaWorld's Orcas Live with their offspring - Ex. Kasatka still resides with her offspring, Nakai, Kalia and Makani. Katina lives with Nalani and Makaio. Takara lives with her calves, Sakari and Kamea, as well as her newborn. #3. "SeaWorld's Killer Whales barely live passed 9 - 13 years of age." A Myth by Animal Rights Extreme groups like PETA. Government Research, by the NOAA have proven that Orcas at SeaWorld live just as long as their Wild Counterparts. Many of their Killer Whales are passed 9 and 13 years of age - (Corky, aged 52 years), (Katina and Kasatka (both 40-41 years estim.), Ulises (aged 39 years), Orkid and Kayla (both 28 years), Takara and Kyuquot (both 25 years), Keet and Shouka (both 24 years), Tuar (aged 18 years), etc. The Oxford University Journal of Mammalogy has released a new peer reviewed study which finds that SeaWorld’s killer whales live just as long as those in the wild. CLICK HERE #2. "SeaWorld invests barely in Rescue/Conservation efforts" One of the biggest propagada Lies, mostly spread by PETA once again. SeaWorld (as of 2017) has succesfully rescued and rehabilitated over 30,000 animals and is partners with the NOAA, WWF, NFWF, and HSUS (sadly...) - Anyway, If SeaWorld barely invested funds to their Rescue programs - They wouldn't be credited as "a World Leader in Animal Protection" Also, SEAWORLD MADE A COMMITMENT OF $1.5 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS AS PART OF A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION (NFWF) THROUGH THE KILLER WHALE RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM (KWRCP). THIS SUPPORT IS JUST PART OF SEAWORLD’S $10 MILLION PLEDGE TO FUND RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION FOR KILLER WHALES IN THE WILD. THE KILLER WHALE RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON THREE STRATEGIES: 1. INCREASING PREY AVAILABILITY FOR WILD KILLER WHALES. 2. IMPROVING HABITAT QUALITY. 3. STRENGTHENING MANAGEMENT THROUGH CRUCIAL RESEARCH. #1. "SeaWorld supports the Taiji dolphin slaughter and has recieved Dolphins from Taiji."
Ta-Da! The Biggest of the Myths. SeaWorld has stated, "SeaWorld is opposed to this horrific practice and not a single animal living in our parks came from a drive hunt. In fact, federal law prohibits bringing animals from this hunt into the United States. Hear direct from SeaWorld’s Zoological V.P. as he discusses this practice and why SeaWorld is opposed to it. Most of our dolphins were born at SeaWorld. (80% of the marine mammals at our parks were born in human care.) We don’t have any dolphins or whales from the drive hunts in Japan." All of which is ACCURATE. Database of SeaWorld's Cetaceans and their Origins HERE |