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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.
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 ...
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.
Researcher spent five decades studying the Pacific Northwest's endangered killer whales and help ended their captivity at marine parks. Ken Balcomb, friend to the orcas who helped end their ...
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 ...
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.
A pod of orcas moving through the inland waters of Alaska. The Orca Welfare and Safety Act is a bill passed in the U.S. state of California in 2016. The bill phases out the holding of killer whales in captivity and establishes standards for treatment of all remaining captive orcas in zoos.