Originally Posted By trekkeruss From what I understand, there is no single whale named Shamu; it's merely a brand name for Sea World.
Originally Posted By Mr X Yup. The original "Shamu" was chopped up and buried under the parking lot (true story).
Originally Posted By Mr X <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamu" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamu</a> ***Shamu is the stage name of SeaWorld's iconic Orca (killer whale) show, which is shared by numerous adult male or female orcas at the SeaWorld parks. Shamu's popular performances are presented along with Baby Shamu and Grandbaby Shamu in 7-million-gallon tanks.***
Originally Posted By bloona I didnt think it was "Shamu" until it said it was the largest one at Sea World...since then Ive been trying to recall if anyone went in the tank at the end with him or not...
Originally Posted By Mr X Apparently the original "Shamu" was ALSO an aggressive and highly dangerous apex predator (big surprise)... ***Shamu was a Southern Resident orca, likely born in 1961 and captured in Puget Sound in 1965. She performed in several SeaWorld shows and eventually died on August 23, 1971. Her final year of performing in front of an audience was mired in controversy. She was retired from performing after an incident caught on tape where she attacked Annette Eckis, an employee of SeaWorld at the time, who was supposed to ride her.***
Originally Posted By bloona I remember when I first saw the show in 88 that there was namu and baby namu and shamu and baby shamu (excuse lack of capitals...muti tasking....hair straighteners in my other hand!) I knew they were like stage names...but the huge one they have got out just at the end of the show..which is the current shamu...he looked like the one on the video I just saw on the link someone put on..the history of tilly by rose one.. I just wondered if it was that shamu...or did he not come out at all?
Originally Posted By DAR I went to Sea World with my entire family(twenty of us) about twelve years ago, looking at water on 95 degree day probably wasn't the best idea which is why we spent almost two hours in the penguin exhibit.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Shamu was a Southern Resident orca, likely born in 1961 and captured in Puget Sound in 1965. She performed in several SeaWorld shows and eventually died on August 23, 1971.>> On that note, wild Orcas typically live significantly longer lives than those in captivity. That in itself tells me that they are not really suited for living in a small pool.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "...all the way to swimming with wild whales in his native waters in Iceland." I thought orcas were native to the northern Pacific, not the Atlantic. That's why all the theming around the Shamu shows is based on Indian tribes from the Pacific Northwest, as it's kind of their home region. I don't think I've ever heard of any in the Atlantic, but if he found a family to live with there must have been some. Interesting that when he was 'successfully' released into the wild he still ended up living under human care in Norway. Makes me think it's not nearly as easy as that story would want you to believe. "A floppy dorsal fin, by the way, is a sign of stress...it means they are constantly swimming around in circles." I've seen films of plenty of wild orcas with the floppy dorsal fin too. Do they swim in circles all the time? Is it related to the stress of finding their own food? Maybe it's just something that happens. I'm stressed out, so should I get released back into the wild? That actually sounds kind of nice right now...
Originally Posted By Mr X <a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081024151158AA41VBt" target="_blank">http://answers.yahoo.com/quest...8AA41VBt</a>
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Are ya'll advocating to shut down all Marine Parks and Zoological Parks (including Animal Kingdom)?
Originally Posted By SFH I wouldn't be surprised if Representative Ed Markey (D - MA) uses this as fuel for his quest to have federal regulation of all amusement/theme parks.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Tilikum (this whales actual name) had indeed killed twice before. Once in Canada, then in the United States (a drifter who managed to climb into the tank after hours). The second victim's family tried to sue Sea World, claiming they falsely created the impression that Killer Whales were big cuddly toys. AND in the understatement of the day, Sea World has announced they are suspending "Shamu's" Twitter account. Quote: "At this difficult time, @Shamu will not be active on Twitter, as users who follow @Shamu have come to expect posts that are light-hearted and perhaps a bit quirky." <a href="http://www.seaworldparksblog.com/explore/blog/shamu-twitter-account" target="_blank">http://www.seaworldparksblog.c...-account</a>
Originally Posted By danyoung >This was not a "show" animal at all. It was purchased after its' first kill only as a stud.< According to the CNN story I just saw, he also was trained to swim around and splash the crowd with his huge tail. They also mentioned his stud services, and said that he's worth millions.
Originally Posted By sjhym33 I mentioned to my wife this morning that the trainer was a client of mine several years back. Very nice woman. She had lots of pictures of herself at work with the whales. She told me how much she loved her job and how lucky she felt to be doing what she was doing. She was a very sweet person. It is very sad.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "No, I am going to go with this whale went crazy." <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0qMT2YBIcg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...MT2YBIcg</a> "Are ya'll advocating to shut down all Marine Parks and Zoological Parks (including Animal Kingdom)?" No, they can continue to rescue and rehabilitate animals. Make that the focus. Make that the show. Some animals really can't return to the wild for various reasons. Those animals can become ambassadors to the wild. But making them do tricks is stupid. These animals are interesting enough on their own. That wild animals are our playthings is not the right message to send.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones This type of incident will happen again. We'll be expected to feel sympathy for the "victim." The same debate will occur. Nothing will change. No one learns from their mistakes.
Originally Posted By danyoung >But making them do tricks is stupid.< I have to agree with you, Spokker. It's why I don't like circuses. Look how we can take this mighty elephant and make him stand up on one foot! See the amazing lion as he does what his human trainer has whipped him into shape to do! I just hate it!!! And that's why I really like parks like DAK, where you can see animals in their natural habitats.
Originally Posted By LPFan22 A little warning on what that link would show us would have been nice, SpokkerJones. Not everyone wants to actually see that.
