Dawn Brancheau loved all animals and felt a special affinity to the majestic and stunning orcas. For 15 years, the 40-year-old had lived out her dreams and was working with orcas at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. Being a trainer at the world famous attraction was something she had dreamed of since she was a child […]
Tag: Orca
Kiska, The ‘World’s Loneliest’ Orca Dies in Theme Park in Canada
Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada, died late on Friday in a theme park called MarineLand, the Ontario government announced. MarineLand is a theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Kiska was captured in Icelandic waters in 1979, and she died when she was 47 years old. MarineLand said that Kiska’s health had declined […]
Orca Mom Adopts Pilot Whale Calf and Takes Baby Under Her Fin
In August 2021, scientists recorded a first-of-its-kind event in the animal kingdom. An orca, known as “Sædís,” was spotted swimming alongside a long-finned pilot whale calf in the west of Iceland, and scientists realized she was actually caring for the calf. This is the first time scientists have documented an orca nurturing and taking care […]
Southern resident orca pod falls to lowest number in 46 years
Only 73 southern resident orcas that live along the coast of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia remain as of July 1, according to the latest census from the Center for Whale Research. In the last year, three whales died—K21, K44 and L89. Meanwhile, two calves were born in February and April. The census found the […]
First Evidence of Orcas Hunting and Eating Great White Sharks Seen in Drone Footage
Frequent readers of CNET Science will remember Port and Starboard, the duo of killer whales from a story we published in June, which detailed research showing great white sharks were being hunted by the whales off the coast of South Africa. New aerial footage, released on Monday, shows one member of the murderous pair — […]
Reports Reveal Rotten Fish, Emaciation, and Starvation in Marine Animals at Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium has a history of animal welfare violations, so it’s no surprise that a new PETA report reveals once again underfeeding, emaciation, and rotten fish at the abusement park. PETA reported that records from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other government agencies, in addition to testimony from animal-care experts, have revealed shocking […]
Female Orca Dies at Marine Park, Making Her the Third to Die Prematurely in the Last 18 Months
A female orca named Kohana died at the Loro Parque marine park in Tenerife, Spain, making her the third killer whale to die at that park in the last 18 months. Kohana was the daughter of Tilikum, who was the subject of the groundbreaking documentary exposing SeaWorld called Blackfish. Kohana was just 20 years old. […]
Three Captive Orcas Violently Attack Each Other at SeaWorld Just One Day After Orca Nakai Died
Just one day after an orca named Nakai died at SeaWorld after 20 years of captivity, a video was released of three orcas brutally attacking each other at the abusement park. The footage was taken at SeaWorld, leaving guests in shock as a violent attack among orcas ensued. At least one of the animals is […]