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Orcas (or killer whales) are large, powerful aquatic apex predators. There have been incidents where orcas were perceived to attack humans in the wild, but such attacks are less common than those by captive orcas. [1] In captivity, there have been several non-fatal and four fatal attacks on humans since the 1970s. [2]
Orkid at SeaWorld San Diego. Dozens of orcas (killer whales) are held in captivity for breeding or performance purposes. The practice of capturing and displaying orcas in exhibitions began in the 1960s, and they soon became popular attractions at public aquariums and aquatic theme parks due to their intelligence, trainability, striking appearance, playfulness, and sheer size.
Tilikum was the largest orca in captivity. [8] He measured 22.5 feet (6.9 m) in length and weighed about 12,500 pounds (5,700 kg). [9] His pectoral fins were 7 feet (2.1 m) long, his fluke curled under, and his 6.5-foot-tall (2.0 m) dorsal fin was collapsed completely to his left side.
Killer whales have no predators -- except for humans. Documentaries like 'Blackfish' reveal the exploitation behind whale captivity. In the late 1960's, Famous orca Shamu was the whale who set the ...
When director Gabriela Cowperthwaite set out to make Blackfish more than a decade ago, not even she knew the impact the documentary about the captivity of orcas, mostly at SeaWorld, would have. "I ...
Whether they're born in the wild or in captivity, all orcas born have the same innate drive to swim far and dive deep. This is what they do. They can't do this when they are kept in a tank, no ...
Blackfish is a 2013 American documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite.It concerns Tilikum, an orca held by SeaWorld and the controversy over captive orcas.The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013, and was picked up by Magnolia Pictures and CNN Films for wider release.
They can be trained in captivity and are often described as intelligent, [137] [138] although defining and measuring "intelligence" is difficult in a species whose environment and behavioural strategies are very different from those of humans. [138] Orcas imitate others, and seem to deliberately teach skills to their kin.