Seaworld Shamu- FAQ (KILLER WHALES)

1. How fast can killer whales swim?

A killer whale can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour. They usually swim much more slowly at about 6 to 8 miles per hour. Human Olympic swimmers can only swim at top speeds of 4.5 miles per hour.


2. What do killer whales eat?
Some killer whales, like those at SeaWorld, eat mostly fish. Other killer whales eat other marine mammals (whales, seals, and sea lions), sharks and rays, octopus and squids, seabirds such as penguins, and some even eat leatherback sea turtles.


3. How small is a baby killer whale?
Size estimates of calves born at SeaWorld suggest that newborn calves are about 2.6 m (8.5 ft.) long and weigh 120 to 160 kg (265-353 lb.).


4. How big does a killer whale get?
The killer whale is the largest member of the dolphin family Delphinidae. As with most other toothed whales, male killer whales grow larger than females. An average-size male grows to about 5.8 to 6.7 m (19-22 ft.) long. Two fully grown adult male killer whales at SeaWorld weigh 4,082 kg (9,000 lb.) and 5,380 kg (11,860 lb.). An average-size female killer whale is 4.9 to 5.8 m (16-19 ft.). SeaWorld’s adult females whales between the ages of 16 and 41 years old range in weight from 2,313 kg (5,100 lb.) to 3,719 kg (8,200 lb.).


5. Why is Shamu black and white?
The coloration of killer whales may enhance their ability to hunt. Killer whales are counter-shaded; they are dark on their dorsal surface and white on their ventral surface. The dark side blends in with the murky ocean depths when viewed from above. The light ventral side blends in with the lighter surface of the sea when seen from below. The result is that prey have a difficult time seeing a contrast between the counter-shaded killer whale and the environment.
In addition, killer whales have disruptive coloration, a camouflage in which the color pattern of an animal contradicts the animal's body shape. In the flickering, filtered sunlight of the sea, other animals may not recognize a killer whale as a potential threat.


6. Why does a killer whale have a hole on top of its head?
Killer whales and other whales have a blowhole on top of the head. This is basically like having your nose on top of your head. This helps the whale because they can’t breathe underwater, but when they come up for a breath of air, the top of their head comes out of the water first so they can take a breath right away.


7. How many killer whales are there worldwide?
Killer whales are found in oceans throughout world. The worldwide population of killer whales is unknown. NOAA Fisheries Service has stock assessments available for some populations of killer whales at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/individual_sars.html.


8. Why do some killer whales' dorsal fins flop over?
Scientists are not sure why the dorsal fins of some killer whales flop over and the dorsal fins of other do not.The dorsal fins of killer whales are supported only by connective tissue and not bone. In a study of killer whales in New Zealand waters, 23% of the wild males had dorsal fins that bent over. Newborn killer whales all have floppy dorsal fins that stiffen a few days after birth.

Scientists have a couple of theories as to why the dorsal fins of some killer whales flop over. One theory is that the surrounding water helps support the dorsal fin. A killer whale that spends more time at the surface, with its fin protruding out of the water, has a greater tendency for its fin to bend. Additionally, collagen becomes more flexible when warmed, such as if it is exposed to sunlight. Another theory supports a genetic tendency for a dorsal fin to bend. These two factors may work in combination or there may be other factors involved. The dorsal fin of an adult male killer whale can grow to six feet tall, which may be why their fins have a greater tendency to bend. Neither the shape nor the droop of a whale's dorsal fin are indicators of a killer whale's health or well-being.


9. Which one is Shamu?
Shamu is a stage name that we use for any of the adult (male or female) killer whales in our shows.

10. What is the origin of the name "Shamu"?
Many stories exist about the origin of Shamu's name. One revolves around the first collected killer whale that was named Namu after a British Columbian town. When SeaWorld welcomed its first killer whale, it was named Shamu, for "She-Namu".


11. Why are they called killer whales?
A healthy adult killer whale is an apex (top) predator in the ocean; it can prey on anything that lives in the sea, but has no predators of its own. Some killer whales are even known to prey on other species of whales. At one time, people called them "whale killers," which was eventually modified into killer whales.


12. Who would win in a fight - a killer whale or great white shark?
An encounter between a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) and killer whales (Orcinus orca) was recently documented off of Southeast Farallon Island near San Francisco, California. Two killer whales were in the area feeding on a California sea lion. Perhaps the smell of fresh sea lion blood drew the shark to the area, but when one of the killer whales sighted the great white, it immediately charged the shark. The killer whale pulled the 3-4 m (10-13 ft.) shark to the surface in its mouth and both killer whales consumed portions of the great white including its enormous liver. This is certainly no indication of what may happen every time killer whales face great whites, but it does demonstrate the variety in a killer whale’s diet.


13. How much does a killer whale eat?
Each adult killer whale at SeaWorld receives 140 to 240 pounds of food per day. We feed our killer whales a balanced, high-quality diet, including several different species of fish. Among the types most often fed are herring, capelin, salmon, mackerel, and occasionally others. Fish is always kept refrigerator and well-iced to help maintain the highest husbandry standards.
New batches of fish are tested via calorimeter to determine exact levels of calories, fat, ash, protein, and moisture. This information aids our veterinary staff and animal trainers in developing an appropriate diet for each animal. Other important information includes the animals' weights, which are obtained weekly via a voluntary "scale" behavior (the whales are trained to slide-up onto a weight scale and remain motionless while their exact weight is read), behavioral clues (how are the animal's eating habits and overall energy level?), demographics (age, reproductive status of the animal), and any special nutritional requirements that a particular animal may have.

Each animal is fed at random amounts at random intervals throughout the day. To provide a high level of mental and physical stimulation, it is important to vary feeding times and amounts for mental stimulation.

From http://www.seaworld.org/ask-shamu/faq.htm#sw-animals

History of SeaWorld

SEAWORLD - ANIMALS (GENERAL)

1. Where do you get your animals?

We acquire our animals in many ways. SeaWorld has an amazing breeding program, for example, and we have had more than 24,000 animals born throughout our parks including more than 20 successful killer whale births and more than 100 bottlenose dolphin births. We have the best facilities in the world for breeding many types of animals, including killer whales and other dolphins. With proper government permits, we may collect animals from the wild or rescue sick, orphaned, or injured animals. SeaWorld has the finest facilities on the planet for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded animals, so many of the creatures that you see at our parks have been rescued. Our main goal is to release these animals. However, some of them are so badly injured that they would not survive in the wild. We have some endangered manatees and sea turtles that cannot be released due to severe injuries and others such as white pelicans and sand hill cranes that have had their wings damaged in the wild and can no longer fly. Finally, we may obtain animals from other zoological parks or private breeders.


2. How much does it cost to feed your animals?

The price of fish fluctuates too widely to give you a consistent figure. We feed our adult bottlenose dolphins between 25 to 35 pounds of fish every day (fish such as mackerel, smelt, capelin, and herring). You can go to your local supermarket and investigate how much 25 to 35 pounds of these types of fish would cost in your area to get an idea of the daily cost to feed just one dolphin.

Manatees are probably the most expensive animals in our parks to feed. Our largest one eats 180 pounds of romaine lettuce every day, plus apples, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Again, you can look these prices up at your local supermarket.


3. How long has SeaWorld been around?

SeaWorld San Diego, the first SeaWorld, opened on March 21, 1964.

4. Does SeaWorld offer any volunteer programs?

SeaWorld does not have internship/work study/volunteer programs to work with our animals or biologists. The only exception to this is at our Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, which you can read about at http://www.hswri.org/getInvolved/volunteers.cfm.
If you would like to work for our park, please check out our online job site at http://www.becjobs.com/. If you see a position you feel qualified for, then we hope you apply for it. You may also want to check for internship or job opportunities at other zoological parks around the United States by going to http://www.aza.org/.


5. Do you have internships at SeaWorld?
SeaWorld Orlando Zoological Operations offers internships in the Education Department. Interns teach SeaWorld Adventure Camp. For further information on this program, view the internship materials within the Career Resources section.
SeaWorld San Antonio and SeaWorld San Diego do not currently offer any internships.


6. What are the requirements for the vet internship/vet residency program?

The veterinarian internship at SeaWorld Orlando is limited to those already in their clinical years at a veterinarian school. Interested students need to contact Dr. Ted Mashima at the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinarian Medicine for more information.
In California, UC Davis offers a rotating 3-year Veterinary Residency Program that takes place at UC Davis, the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the Sacramento Zoo and SeaWorld. For more information visit http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/vmth/residency/otherres/zoomed.html.


7. What is the history of SeaWorld?

In the early 1960s, four UCLA fraternity brothers, led by Milton Shedd, wanted to build an ocean-themed restaurant with an underwater view. Southern California natives, these young grew up loving the sea, and wanted to create a place that could allow others to experience the wonders of the ocean firsthand. From the beginning, they pledged their venture would be dedicated to education, entertainment, research and conservation. What began as an entrepreneurial idea for the founding foursome evolved into a unique and innovative venture they called SeaWorld. That dream was realized with the opening of SeaWorld California on San Diego's beautiful Mission Bay.
Here are some highlights of SeaWorld over the past four decades:
1963 To honor marine science leaders Dr. Carl and Laura Hubbs, the non-profit Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute was created by scientists and the founders of SeaWorld to "return to the sea some measure of the benefit derived from it." You can learn more about the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute by visiting their website at http://www.hswri.org/.
1964 SeaWorld San Diego opens to the public.
1973 SeaWorld opens a new park on December 15, 1973 in a small Florida town called Orlando. SeaWorld Orlando, along with its sister park in San Diego, launch the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation program.
1976 SeaWorld Orlando rescues its first Florida manatee.
1980 SeaWorld San Diego becomes the first zoological park to breed emperor penguins outside of the Antarctic.
1985 The first killer whale to be born and thrive in the care of humans takes its first breath at SeaWorld Orlando on September 26, 1985 at 6:21 PM EST. Eight years later this whale goes on to give birth herself.
1988 SeaWorld San Antonio opens in Texas. This park becomes the largest marine life park in the world.
1989 Following a rare cold snap in Florida, SeaWorld Orlando rescues and rehabilitates 95 green sea turtles trapped in the Indian River Lagoon. After months of expert care, more than 50% are successfully retuned to their natural habitat.
1992 SeaWorld San Diego is the first park to conduct a flight feather transplant on an endangered brown pelican.
1993 Through the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, SeaWorld funds a population and habitat viability analysis in the Yangtze River, the baiji river dolphin's native habitat in China. With only about 200 left, captive breeding may be the only way to save this rare species.
1994 Gilly, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin calf found weak and dehydrated, is rescued by SeaWorld San Antonio and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
1995 During this year alone SeaWorld rehabilitates more than 50 beached or injured sea turtles, many of which suffer sustained injuries and cannot be released. Some of these individuals now make their permanent home at SeaWorld.
1996 To help add to much-needed baseline data on sharks, SeaWorld participates in nurse shark research in the Dry Tortugas, a critical habitat for shark pups.
1997 To support the United Nations-declared "Year of the Reef," SeaWorld, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce support a coral reef initiative, including research, education and conservation programs.
1998 After 14 months at SeaWorld San Diego, J.J. the gray whale is successfully released into her native California waters.
1999 A decade after the devastating Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, SeaWorld San Diego, along with the California Department of Fish and Game and the University of California, Davis, breaks ground on the SeaWorld Oiled Wildlife Care Center.
2000 SeaWorld and South African environmental groups struggle to save the third largest colony penguin colony in the world after a large iron-ore carrier sank off the west coast of Cape Town, South Africa on Friday, June 23. The event caused a major oil spill with severe repercussions on the wildlife in the area. Bird experts worked around the clock to de-oil and rehabilitate nearly 50% of the African Penguin species in hopes the penguins will survive.
2001 The world's first killer whale conceived through artificial insemination was born on September 1, 2001 at 8:50 PM. The mother, a 25-year-old killer whale, gave birth to a healthy calf at Shamu Stadium, under the watchful eyes of the park's veterinarians, animal care and animal training teams.
2003 SeaWorld Orlando celebrates its 30th year!
2004 The 500th sea turtle to be rehabilitated and released by the animal experts at SeaWorld Orlando waded safely into the waters off the coast of Cocoa Beach. This 100-pound loggerhead received six months of specialized care and rehabilitation at SeaWorld before being released. SeaWorld handles the majority of its sea turtle rescues during the summer months because of increased boating and recreational activities in areas frequented by turtles.
What began off of Mission Bay in 1964 with an initial investment of $1.5 million, 45 employees, several sea lions and one salt water aquarium has grown into the world's finest marine life parks. 400,000 guests visited the park in 1964, and now millions of people are touched by marine animals at the SeaWorld adventure parks every year. The heightened sensitivity to marine conservation issues is due in large part to the experiences people have in parks like SeaWorld.

In addition to the SeaWorld Adventure Parks, St. Louis-based Busch Entertainment Corporation operates Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida and Williamsburg, Virginia; Adventure Island in Tampa Bay; Water Country USA in Williamsburg; Sesame Place near Philadelphia and Discovery Cove in Orlando. The nine parks entertain more than 21 million guests a year and employ more than 15,000 people. For more than 40 years, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have shared their commitment to conservation with millions of guests, who leave not only with greater appreciation of the natural world, but with adventures of a lifetime. Leaders in conservation and education, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Discovery Cove care for the largest animal collection in the world and offer an education website especially for students and teachers at http://www.swbg-animals.org/. General park information is on the web at http://www.4adventure.com/.


8. What do you do before a hurricane hits your park?

We prepare our park for a hurricane in many ways. The first task is to make sure all types of potential flying objects are removed and stored away (flags, garbage cans, potted plants, etc.). We secure all buildings and park exhibits, and we take in animals like birds that are in outdoor aviaries. Our animal habitats are designed to withstand hurricane force winds, and we had not lost a single animal despite being hit by three major hurricanes within a six week period in 2004.


9. How does SeaWorld help conserve wildlife and their habitats?

The non-profit SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund (SWBGCF) works on behalf of wildlife and habitats worldwide. The goal of the SWBGCF is to encourage sustainable solutions by supporting critical conservation initiatives worldwide. The SWBGCF has sponsored a number of projects on aquatic and terrestrial animals, animal rescue and rehabilitation, habitat protection, and conservation education.
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The SWBGCF conducts grant awards each year. Since 2003, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has granted $1.3 million to more than 100 projects in 25 countries on six continents. Selected projects must be science-based, solution-driven, and community-oriented - attributes needed to achieve effective and long-term conservation success. Groups working on animal conservation projects are invited to apply for a SWBGCF grant. Projects are carefully selected by a diverse mix of wildlife experts, scientists, business leaders, and educators.
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The SWBGCF accepts donations to support conservation projects in the U.S. and around the world. 100% of donations go directly to selected projects. In addition, cash or check donations can be made at any SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park at the Guest Services counter or in select merchandise outlets. Stores throughout the parks also now feature a special line of cause-related merchandise, of which 15% of the purchase price is donated to the SWBG Fund. For guests wanting more of an experience, they can sign up for a "Saving a Species" behind-the-scenes tour, of which a portion of the tour price benefits the Fund.

From http://www.seaworld.org/
http://www.seaworld.org/ask-shamu/faq.htm#sw-animals

Shamu Attack on Trainer - FOX News: Thursday, November 30, 2006

SAN DIEGO — A killer whale that dragged a trainer under water during a show at SeaWorld Adventure Park, breaking his foot, may be allowed to perform again, park officials said Thursday.

"Animals who have been involved in incidents like this in the past have been allowed to continue performing," SeaWorld San Diego spokesman Dave Koontz said.
Park trainers were examining the whale, a female orca named Kasatka, and trying to determine what made her grab her trainer, Ken Peters, Koontz said.

Peters, 39, remained hospitalized with a broken foot after the whale grabbed him and twice held him under water during a show. He had a fractured metatarsal in his left foot but was in good spirits, Koontz said.

Peters was hurt around 5 p.m. Wednesday during the final show of the day at Shamu Stadium, a 36-foot-deep tank.

The show's finale called for Kasatka to shoot out of the water so Peters could dive off her nose. The whale is about 17 feet long and weighs well over 5,000 pounds.

As several hundred spectators watched, the whale and trainer plunged under water, where Kasatka grabbed Peters by the foot and held him for less than a minute before surfacing, Koontz said. "The trainer was being pinned by the whale at the bottom of the pool," Karen Ingrande told KGTV-TV.

When they came up, Peters tried to calm the animal by rubbing and stroking its back but it grabbed him and plunged down again for about another minute.

The crowd "began to realize there was not something right and the whale was down again under the water. Again they were splashing the water to try to get the whale to come to the surface," Ingrande said.

The whale finally released him and Peters was able to surface and swim away. Other trainers stretched a net between him and Kasatka, Koontz said.

He emerged from the tank with one leg of his wet suit torn.

"He tried to stand up on the stage and that's when we realized there was something wrong with his leg and his foot. He was just white as a ghost," spectator Sherri Justice told KFMB-TV in San Diego.

Mike Scarpuzzi, who oversees zoological operations, said Peters has been working with animals for 16 years, including 12 spent at Shamu Stadium.

"His skills and techniques, and close relationship with the whale played a major role in helping the animal calm down and allowed him to eventually swim out of the pool," Scarpuzzi said.
The park planned to continue the Shamu Stadium shows Thursday using other whales. The park has a total of seven killer whales, including two of Kasatka's offspring, Koontz said.
He did not know whether Kasatka would be allowed to perform.

Koontz said trainers from the San Diego park and sister parks in San Antonio and Orlando, Fla., planned to confer Thursday and review the incident in an effort to figure out what made the orca grab Peters.

Koontz said the 30-year-old orca had been performing most of her life and was familiar with the routine.

"She's been one of our strongest, most consistent performers," he said.

Koontz said a different whale dived with a trainer's foot in its mouth two or three weeks ago but obeyed commands to release the trainer and return to the side of the tank. The trainer was not injured.

SeaWorld officials reported in 1999 that Kasatka tried to bite a trainer during a show, but he was unhurt.

FOX News at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,233374,00.html

Shamu Attack news from CNN: November 30, 2006

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- A killer whale at the Sea World theme park grabbed a trainer by the foot and held him underwater during a show Wednesday.

The trainer escaped and was in good condition later, park officials said.

Kasatka, a 30-year-old killer whale who is a veteran of many performances, grabbed the trainer and pulled him underwater, said Mike Scarpuzzi, head trainer at Sea World. (Watch how moms and kids felt about the attack )

Other trainers were able to persuade the whale to surface, allowing the trainer a breath of air, but enacted emergency procedures in place for such instances, Scarpuzzi said.

The other trainers got a net in the pool, and the trainer, who also has years of experience, was able to calm the whale, swim to the other side of the net and get out of the pool, he said.

The San Diego Fire Department received a call that the 33-year-old whale trainer was pinned at the bottom of the tank by a whale, said dispatcher Julianna Humphries.

The caller said other trainers were attempting to retrieve the man.

Scarpuzzi said there have been no previous serious incidents with Kasatka.

"She has not done this particular unwanted behavior to this extent," Scarpuzzi said.

"She has displayed unwanted behavior to some extent. ... There are times like this. They are killer whales. She did choose to demonstrate her feelings in a way that was unfortunate."

Scarpuzzi said he was dismayed that park guests had to witness the incident, which occurred in late afternoon during the "Believe" show.

The trainer was taken to a hospital, where officials reported he was in good condition. (Watch paramedics help the wounded trainer)

"That's the good news we were hoping for," Scarpuzzi said. He declined to identify the trainer, saying he wanted to make sure his family had been notified of the incident, but said the man had 16 years of training experience, including 12 years with Kasatka.

He said it had not been decided whether Kasatka will perform Thursday. The park has seven whales and rotate them for performances, he said.

Trainers are strong swimmers and taught to develop communication and relationship skills with the whales, he said.

Using those skills, he said, the trainer was able to calm the whale and end the incident. "It turned out exactly the way we would want it if something like this were to ever happen."

News from the following Link:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/29/killer.whale/index.html

Shamu Rocks Show

Shamu Show at Seaworld San Diego

Shamu Show at Seaworld San Antonio

Shamu Rocks Texas at SeaWorld San Antonio

Shamu funny Video

Shamu Show Incident November 2006

Seaworld Shamu Show in Orlando - Part 1

Shamu Rocks at SeaWorld Orlando

Seaworld Shamu Show in Orlando - Part 2

Shamu Show at Seaworld Orlando Florida

SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park located in the unincorporated area of Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by Anheuser-Busch.

At the heart of every being lies a spirit of wonder. Feel it come to life in our most sensational show ever. Believe. A captivating and visually stunning Shamu show that transports your heart to the edge of wonder. Only at SeaWorld.Believe, blends new killer whale behaviors with elaborate set pieces, music, choreography and state-of-the-art multimedia. Believe takes guests on a journey in which anyone believes they can connect with these magnificent mammals. This inspirational show reflects the close relationship SeaWorld trainers have with the killer whales, as well as amazes guests with a series of exciting behaviors.Shamu Stadium was transformed for Believe. The majestic presence of Shamu is reflected in a 2-story stage; a spectacular water fountain sprays across the width of the show pool; three underwater cameras capture Shamu below the surface; a giant 3-story whale tail soars high above the set; and four LED screens move and rotate as they highlight the power and beauty of SeaWorld’s killer whales. Many of the whales’ behaviors are choreographed to Believe’s original and inspiring musical score, recorded by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague. (Notes from www.Shamu.com)

Shamu....! Shamu....!! Shamu....!!!

Shamu:

Shamu is the name of SeaWorld's iconic orca (killer whale) show. Shamu's popular performances are presented along with Baby Shamu and Grandbaby Shamu in 7-million-gallon pools at SeaWorld parks in Orlando, Florida San Diego, California San Antonio, Texas Orcas perform in Shamu Stadium, which seats 5,500. The Shamu show is the most popular show at SeaWorld, running 20 minutes and showing as many as six times a day. The highlight of the performance is the spectacular natural behaviors of orcas and the unique relationships that SeaWorld trainers have with these animals. According to the official SeaWorld website, people sitting in the first 14 rows "must be prepared to get soaked by Shamu", with water that is chilled to 55° F (13° C).

Shamu Show:

The show was recently changed at all three SeaWorld parks. The new show, dubbed "Believe", is more spiritual and involves an audience hand signal, an emotional soundtrack, and the giving of a gift to a chosen child to inspire. The new show involves multiple cameras placed around the stadium and clips of video mixed with live audience shots during the presentation and story. It also has more trainers than ever before. The name "Shamu" is actually a stage name shared by many adult orcas, male or female, at SeaWorld. The first Shamu, a female, was captured in Puget Sound in 1965 and died on August 23, 1971.

Shamu Shows throughout the years:

1966-1971 Doctor Do Little
1971-1974 Shamu Goes Hollywood
1974-1975 Shamu for Mayor
1975-1977 Shamu the Yankee Doodle Whale
1977-1980 Shamu Goes to College
1980-1982 This is Shamu
1982-1984 Shamu Take a Bow
1984-1986 Shamu Celebration
1986 Shamu Night Shows
1987-1989 Shamu's Water Symphony
1989-1990 Shamu 25th Anniversary
1989-1991 Baby Shamu Celebration
1992-1995 Shamu Visions
1995-1998 Shamu: World Focus
1998-2006 The Shamu Adventure
2006-2007 Believe

Night shows performed during the summer:

Name Location Shamu Rocks Texas San Antonio, TX
Shamu Rocks Around the World Orlando, FL
Shamu Rocks San Diego, CA and Orlando, FL