View Full Version : New addition
We missed it by one day!! - last weekend one of the killer whales gave birth to the park's newest addition, live in front of the audience! Hope they had their cameras ready <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Sandra
One of the whales at Sea World is called Winnie. In the 1980s she was at Windsor Safari Park (now Legoland) and I worked with her when I was a student (I was there for 2 weeks on work experience)
Ruth
steph_goodrum
30-08-2002, 23:35
It was Winnie who inspired Michelles' love of Killer Whales. In 1990 (I think) shortly before the park closed we took Michelle for her 4th birthday treat. It rained most of the day and we spent a long time in the underwater viewing area, every time anybody except Michelle stood in front of the window Winnie refused to come near, but as soon as Michelle stood there, Winnie appeared within seconds, so all the adults kept telling her how much Winnie loved her, and asked her to stand there so they could take her picture. We didn't have the heart to tell her it was probably more to do with her bright red Sooty raincoat than anything else.
Babblin Boo
My guests who arrived home today thought it was Shamu who had given birth because the Shamu show was cancelled. They were able to take a look at the new cub instead and I always thought that Shamu was a male!
They did announce at the park that the main show was cancelled due to Shamu giving birth. Shamu is a trade name, they use it in California too. So I think all killer whales with Sea World are known as Shamu!! Must make it easier, come to think of it why didn't I use that idea when I had the children????
Sandra
If I called both my children Shamu they would have turned on me and said, "It's you that's the whale mum, not us".<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
steph_goodrum
31-08-2002, 12:34
In my opinion, there is only one reason why all the killer whales at Sea World are called Shamu, the commercial aspect, they can produce all the merchandise without having to change it for new arrivals or have stuff left if there is a less popular one or 1 of the whales dies or is moved. I think it's a real shame, (they do still have individual names according to the trainer we spoke to and she could name them all) but it does de-personalise the show.
Babblin Boo
But during the show don't they refer to only one of the killer whales as Shamu? What do they call the others?
steph_goodrum
31-08-2002, 21:58
I think they get over it by saying something like Shamu and friends or family can't remember exact wording.
Babblin Boo
florida4sun
01-09-2002, 07:18
There is no one whale named "Shamu", and are used for whichever whales are performing that day. "Shamu" was the name of the first killer whale at Sea World California, and the name became so popular that when she died, the name was used for all Sea World killer whales.
quote:
In my opinion, there is only one reason why all the killer whales at Sea World are called Shamu, the commercial aspect, they can produce all the merchandise without having to change it for new arrivals or have stuff left if there is a less popular one or 1 of the whales dies or is moved. I think it's a real shame, (they do still have individual names according to the trainer we spoke to and she could name them all) but it does de-personalise the show.
Babblin Boo
Martin
Another Day in Paradise!
steph_goodrum
01-09-2002, 13:34
But I'm sure you agree Martin it's also VERY convenient from a merchandising point of view to continue this.:)
Babblin Boo
imported_n/a
03-09-2002, 22:07
Believe the mom was Katina but baby Orca not named yet! Can't wait, mom was there at the time but didn't realise - I get excited when I see the baby hippo at the safari park so I'm going to be ecstatic to see the calf! Still Sir Winston Walrus is my favourite though.
Edited by - janesansom on 03/09/2002 18:09:51
It was a boy weighing 750 lbs and 7 feet long after a one hour labour and is 25 year old Katina's 5th - so rather her than me! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> The gestation period (pregnancy) is 17 months long for killer whales...
Blott
Wow - 7ft long doesn't really register on the 'cute' scale does it? I thought it would be 2-3ft long at the most, shows you what I know about killer whales.
Sandra
caroline
12-09-2002, 22:54
All I can say is if humans were pregnant for 17 months - I would only have one child <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Caroline
Mind you, a one hour labour doesn't sound too bad...!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Blott
750lbs and 7ft long does though.. even for an hour <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Sandra
caroline
13-09-2002, 02:11
Had less than an hours labour for my 9lb 15 oz bouncing boy!!
Have since had 11 years hard labour though <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Caroline
orlandobabe
11-10-2002, 06:51
I think the babies are called Namu!
Orlandobabe,
I remember a few years ago now there had recently been a new arrival and that had been called Namu, so I think you must be right.
Jacqui
The baby whale is now part of the show. His/her mum does the Cool Summer bit with the girl trainer and baby whale ( who is now quite big) just swims alonside never straying far from mum. The trainer will stroke and interact with it occassionally to bring it into the action.
tinkerbell
06-11-2002, 15:53
Wow! They must be so much more intelligent than we can ever possibly imagine to be part of the show at only 3 months old!! I wonder how much it costs to feed a baby killer whale on a daily basis?!
quote:I wonder how much it costs to feed a baby killer whale on a daily basis?! According to http://www.mmarine-mammals.com baby orcas (killer whales) are nursed by Mum for 14 - 18 months after birth so the answer is... it costs nothing (apart from food for Mum!).
Also check out http://www.orcahome.de/orcastat.htm which has info on all orcas in captivity and http://www.orcahome.de/katinacalf2002.htm for photos of Katina and her new baby (he's really cute and looks just like his Mum!).
tinkerbell
06-11-2002, 16:11
wow again! 14 - 18 months!! Imagine th esize the 'baby' will be by the time it starts to eat for itself then!!
the whales all take turns being Shamu, the others are "Kandu", "Namu", and if I'm not mistaken the youngest is just called "Grandbaby Shamu". I could be wrong, I haven't been to Sea World in about 4 years.