Orca Live has announced that it is closing its interactive doors on Sunday, November 14. Paul and Helena have promised to show the highlights of this season on the last day (in other words, on Sunday), unless, of course, there's fantastic orca action that day! :)Hopefully! Of course, these highlights are going to include the exciting A36 action with the porpoises (yeah for us who didn't see it!), so be sure to tune in!
Meanwhile, the A36s linger around the OL area....and their page is now up!
The pic below is one I took off OL of Hamish the heron.
After seven deaths in five years, the last two within two months, a petition is being launched to investigate the conditions of Marineland Ontario. After the loss of six-year-old Hudson last month (see article below), a petition online has been launched for an investigation into Marineland. It is especially worrisome that Neocia, the twelve year old whale that died there two months before Hudson, was kept seperate from her entire family, alone in the 'performing' tank. Whales are social animals that don't appreciate being alone. The petition was started by Beth Phelps, and you can sign it at Marineland Petition. Help stop the deaths!
A picture of Marineland's performing tank. This pic is public property and anyone can use it.
Sad news from Marineland Ontario today. A young male, named Hudson by trainers, was found dead in Friendship Cove this morning. Hudson was a very popular whale among tourists. He was also a very beautiful whale. He was only six years old when he died, while male orcas usually live into their thirties or forties, and often beyond. We do not know yet the reason for his death. Hopefully it has nothing to do with Neocia's death, only two months ago. At least Hudson's free now!
Below is a photo of Hudson, see his memorial page to learn more about him and see more pictures (sorry the pic takes a while to load):
Kasatka, the 28-year-old dominant orca at Sea World California, is pregnant! She is due October/November, and as we're now into November, we expect the calf any day now. Kasatka was captured in Iceland in 1978, and has lived at SWC for the past 14 years. She has had two other children, Takara,her daughter, and the fabulous Nakai, her son, who made history after Kasatka became the first artificially inseminated whale. Both live at SWC with her. Kasatka is healthy and active. Hopefully that calf will come sometime soon!
Here is a picture of Kasatka leaping during a show, courtesy of Tanya and Nicole at Orca Realm. Remember, don't use the photo without their permission.
November 2004
Two new calves in L-Pod were spotted around October, this year. L104 was born to Jelly Roll (L43), on October 8, while L105 was born to Ophelia a little later, around Oct 17. The calves were again spotted on October 18, and again on October 20, when they were spotted at two seperate times by two seperate people. Both were close to their moms, as was Racer (L72), one of Jelly Roll's other children. On October 30, the L-Pod was found in windy and wet conditions. L104 was definitely there, happy and healthy. However, the conditions were so bad that all the whales there couldn't really be identified. L105 is hopefully still doing well! Wish the best of luck to both!
This is great news for the failing L-Pod population...not to mention for the moms!
I'm hoping to get photos of the little guys soon!
For info on the rest of the recent calves (not in the ID books), go to our calves page, which is hopefully opening soon! :) Sorry for the delay.
Ky, short for Kyuquet, who currently lives in the San Antonio Sea World, was performing as usual on July 28, when suddenly he decided to play a little rougher. Turning and breaching overtop of his trainer for seven years, Steve Aibel, the whale seemed to be attacking him. Ky breached and landed on Steve many times, and when the trainer tried to get out of the pool, Ky pushed him back in and dragged him underwater. After a few minutes, however, Steve calmed the wild whale down and stroked him until he could get out of the pool. Afterwards, he claimed it was teenage hormones. Ky repeatedly ignored the whistles and trainers slapping the water in an attempt to distract him. Steve has put the incident behind him, he said while standing in front of two interested orcas. He's already gotten back in the pool with the whale. He said he thought it had helped that he'd stayed calm, and he trusted Ky to 'do the right thing'. Thankfully, eventually the whale did. After he'd had some...different...fun.
Luna (L98) is still in Gold River, alone while his pod celebrates the arrival of two new calves and his baby brother thrives. Thankfully, he hasn't been involved in any incidents for a few weeks now. His cuts, first observed October 2, some of which seemed to come from a boat propeller, are healing nicely. More good news, the online petition at www.reuniteluna.com got over 5600 signatures (great job if you signed it!). Thanks to everyone! Currently, a Mowachaht/Muchalaht community meeting is scheduled in Gold River for November 9. Hopefully an agreement will be met, and Luna will be able to be reunited with his pod. His chances are getting slimmer, however, as it is too late in the season to do a capture and transportation. The L-Pod will soon leave the area, and it is essential they lead Luna out to meet them, otherwise he'll have to wait yet another year to go home.
A Link to Luna's Site: Reuniteluna.com
For more on Luna's whole story, go to his page in the Famous Orcas section...or rather, do that when its NOT under construction! Lol, sorry, not ready yet, like most of the site. For now, go to the link above to satisfy your curiousity.
In this article, I'm going to cover the birthdays (and other news) of captive orcas since September 1, this year. Its a lot, so take cover. And yes, this is the one article so far that actually HAS photos!
Nakai, who lives in Sea World California, turned three on exactly September 1, while in SeaWorld Florida, Taku turned eleven on September 9. On September 19, Hudson at Marineland Ontario turned six. On September 23, sadly, Kyu died in Japan, where he'll be sorely missed. On the bright side, the same day, beautiful Orkid at SeaWorld California turned 16. On September 29, SeaWorld Florida's Kalina turned 19. Meanwhile, in August, Kiska at Marineland Ontario gave birth to a little calf now named Athena. Thanks to Orca Realm (among others) for the info, and definitely thanks Tanya and Nicole for the photos!
Below is a pic of gorgeous Orkid:
And here is a photo of Nakai when he was just one day old...hard to believe he's three already!
