Global Captive Orca Population

Just beat me too it! Really positive news and another step forward towards these orcas being relocated to the best available situation - which is of course, Loro Parque.

It's a real shame Seaworld won't take them on - they did this a lot back in the 80's and 90's, although in an effort to increase their breeding population, something they're not undertaking anymore. I acknowledge it would be an absolute PR nightmare, but Seaworld's easily the best captive facility for this species worldwide and has the space to accommodate an additional pair too.
 
yahnih said:
I agree! Honeslty SWSD is the best location for them. They can be mixed — without pregnancy worries. Separation will only need to be Wikie from males during ovulation.
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Hypothetically, San Diego is the best choice out of all parks considering the whales involved.

San Diego is also the only Seaworld park that still mixes their boys and girls, so this would be important for Wikie and Keijo.

Not to mention San Diego's countless 'Welcome whales' like Corky, Keet and Orkid who really take great interest in newcomers and would hopefully get along with Wikie and Keijo (in this hypothetical scenario).
 
Jambo said:
Hypothetically, San Diego is the best choice out of all parks considering the whales involved.

San Diego is also the only Seaworld park that still mixes their boys and girls, so this would be important for Wikie and Keijo.

Not to mention San Diego's countless 'Welcome whales' like Corky, Keet and Orkid who really take great interest in newcomers and would hopefully get along with Wikie and Keijo (in this hypothetical scenario).
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also! Wikie can reunite with Shouka~although she knew Wikie young , they might remember!
 
Due to the Orca Welfare and Safety Act, there is no way Wikie and Keijo could be brought to San Diego. In any event, even if Seaworld wanted Wikie and Keijo they would prefer to bring them to Orlando or San Antonio since these have fewer orcas than San Diego.

I think it is clear at this point that Seaworld is proceeding with its gradual phaseout of orcas at their park and will not acquire any new individuals.

I have to say this sex segregation in Orlando and San Antonio really pisses me off. They have developed birth control for orcas after all. And in the case of Katina, she's been post-menopausal for many years now. There is absolutely no reason for her to be separated from the boys, and seeing footage of her and Makaio spending hours watching each other through the tank gates is heartbreaking.
 
mb2991 said:
Due to the Orca Welfare and Safety Act, there is no way Wikie and Keijo could be brought to San Diego. In any event, even if Seaworld wanted Wikie and Keijo they would prefer to bring them to Orlando or San Antonio since these have fewer orcas than San Diego.

I think it is clear at this point that Seaworld is proceeding with its gradual phaseout of orcas at their park and will not acquire any new individuals.

I have to say this sex segregation in Orlando and San Antonio really pisses me off. They have developed birth control for orcas after all. And in the case of Katina, she's been post-menopausal for many years now. There is absolutely no reason for her to be separated from the boys, and seeing footage of her and Makaio spending hours watching each other through the tank gates is heartbreaking.
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As of October 2024 Katina is still cycling. According to her vets that we’re doing a sonogram when I did their behind the scene tour.
 
mb2991 said:
Due to the Orca Welfare and Safety Act, there is no way Wikie and Keijo could be brought to San Diego. In any event, even if Seaworld wanted Wikie and Keijo they would prefer to bring them to Orlando or San Antonio since these have fewer orcas than San Diego.

I think it is clear at this point that Seaworld is proceeding with its gradual phaseout of orcas at their park and will not acquire any new individuals.

I have to say this sex segregation in Orlando and San Antonio really pisses me off. They have developed birth control for orcas after all. And in the case of Katina, she's been post-menopausal for many years now. There is absolutely no reason for her to be separated from the boys, and seeing footage of her and Makaio spending hours watching each other through the tank gates is heartbreaking.
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Interestingly, it looks like at San Antonio, there was a mixed sex orca encounter 2 years ago: (
). I haven't seen any other footage of this occurring but I guess technically they allow themselves to combine sexes during shows if needed.
 
mb2991 said:
I have to say this sex segregation in Orlando and San Antonio really pisses me off. They have developed birth control for orcas after all. And in the case of Katina, she's been post-menopausal for many years now. There is absolutely no reason for her to be separated from the boys, and seeing footage of her and Makaio spending hours watching each other through the tank gates is heartbreaking.
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Yazziel said:
As of October 2024 Katina is still cycling. According to her vets that we’re doing a sonogram when I did their behind the scene tour.
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Sacchi said:
I remember a behind the scenes tour at Orlando where the trainer said they have to keep them separated because Makaio is relentless in trying to mate with Katina and Nalani.
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Although there is birth control, neither facility really wants to take any risks. Keep in mind Seaworld as a whole is operated under branches so effectively each facility operates under its own rules and regulations. For this reason it's not really up to management. San Diego's known for being an industry leader in welfare and training so I'm not surprised they've just elected to still keep their orcas in mixed sex groups. It's really the best for their social welfare. Not to mention, it would be a nightmare rotating the single sex groups across their complex.

San Antonio's boys were pretty much kept separate anyway, but Orlando's was obviously the toughest move to make. It's worth noting Orlando kept theirs mixed sex up until 2019 when Kayla passed. @Sacchi I assume this is the time period when Makaio began to enter sexual maturity and what you detail occurred. This would've obviously just been sprinkles on top of the cake; guaranteeing need for separation and placing him with Trua.

On that note, I've always found it intriguing Katina's sons (and grandsons) have a lot of 'testosterone' for lack of a better word. Taku was much the same (that is how Nalani was conceived) and Ike's done the same at San Diego. Her grandsons, Keet and Keto have also been notorious for this too.

It's also interesting to hear Katina's still cycling at the age of 49 (almost!). I remember when it was believed she was post reproductive around 2013 ish and trainers shut that rumor down themselves stating their intentions to breed her with Tilikum. This never eventuated for some reason or another; likely both's representation but it's a shame nonetheless.
 
BlobfishBoy said:
Interestingly, it looks like at San Antonio, there was a mixed sex orca encounter 2 years ago: (
). I haven't seen any other footage of this occurring but I guess technically they allow themselves to combine sexes during shows if needed.
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San Antonio keeps their males and females separate as Takara and Kyuquot do not get along together. They do mix things up sometimes, mainly during the winter off-season. But in general due to both trying to be more dominant it is less stressful for all the whales to keep them apart.
 
Jonathan Petersson said:
San Antonio keeps their males and females separate as Takara and Kyuquot do not get along together. They do mix things up sometimes, mainly during the winter off-season. But in general due to both trying to be more dominant it is less stressful for all the whales to keep them apart.
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Ky has always been this way, the hope was for Takara to take care of things when she first arrived but this never happened and they've butted heads ever since. He's never really respected any other dominant female besides his own mother. He was much the same with Kayla.
 
So the whole thing above about Takara and Kyuquot note getting along...That is completely and utterly untrue.

The San Antonio pod is, without a doubt, the most cohesive pod of the three Seaworld parks, and has been for quite some time.

Takara established herself as the matriarch and top dog on the dominance hierarchy extremely quickly after her arrival, and has kept the pod in order since then.

Ky and Tuar are very tightly socially bonded, and both bulls get along with and respect the cows. Matter of fact, the preferred gating option prior to the breeding ban (and for some time after it) was to allow all five whales access to the entire complex when not doing sessions or shows.

To be quite frank, Kyuquot and Takara are two of the most socially proficient orcas in Seaworld's collection, and to think they would not be compatible socially is down right laughable.
 
Orca obsessed said:
Chimelong has released a video on weibo confirming Nakhod is the father of Yilong.
Here is what I think might be the video: Sina Visitor System

Anyway just wanted to say happy new year! Can’t wait for what 2025 may brings in the orca world!
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Nakhod also apparently sired Loki, with Tyson siring Katniss and Bowen. Jingxi's sire appears to be still unknown.

The video also mentioned trainers initially thought Jingxi was a female, hence her name!
 
Hyak_II said:
So the whole thing above about Takara and Kyuquot note getting along...That is completely and utterly untrue.

The San Antonio pod is, without a doubt, the most cohesive pod of the three Seaworld parks, and has been for quite some time.

Takara established herself as the matriarch and top dog on the dominance hierarchy extremely quickly after her arrival, and has kept the pod in order since then.

Ky and Tuar are very tightly socially bonded, and both bulls get along with and respect the cows. Matter of fact, the preferred gating option prior to the breeding ban (and for some time after it) was to allow all five whales access to the entire complex when not doing sessions or shows.

To be quite frank, Kyuquot and Takara are two of the most socially proficient orcas in Seaworld's collection, and to think they would not be compatible socially is down right laughable.
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When I did inside look at San Antonio last year that was the reason the trainers gave for the separation system they currently have between the male and female orcas. With Sakari and Kamea growing older dynamics between the pod are shifting and it was best to keep the two groups of males and females.
 
Hyak_II said:
The San Antonio pod is, without a doubt, the most cohesive pod of the three Seaworld parks, and has been for quite some time.

Takara established herself as the matriarch and top dog on the dominance hierarchy extremely quickly after her arrival, and has kept the pod in order since then.

Ky and Tuar are very tightly socially bonded, and both bulls get along with and respect the cows. Matter of fact, the preferred gating option prior to the breeding ban (and for some time after it) was to allow all five whales access to the entire complex when not doing sessions or shows.

To be quite frank, Kyuquot and Takara are two of the most socially proficient orcas in Seaworld's collection, and to think they would not be compatible socially is down right laughable.
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I was under the impression this was the case - Ky is a dominant male yes, but he did seem to respect the more dominant females. He's always been a very socially competent whale and is very gentle natured. Following his mother's death he did face a drastic drop in ranking within the pod which was expected, and was targeted by Kayla and Keto a lot. He and Kayla did have a few issues but this was to be expected with two teenage orcas in a pod without a mature female. This was part of the reason why Takara had to be transferred in, and as you say, she took to things quite likely.

Him and Takara actually seemed to get along well in later years, hence the birth of Kyara, and were kept together a fair bit. He is one of the most socially competent males Seaworld has, if not the most in my opinion!
 
According to @mermaid_fight on IG,

5 females are currently pregnant in China -
• Katenka
• Sonya
• Nukka
• Cookie
• Dora

Also, the 2 WUXI orcas are being sold — with Granvista (Suma), Nagoya, and Shanghai Haichang interested bidders

Naja is also being discussed to be sold again (pending health) - with Nagoya and Shanghai Haichang as potential bidders

I really hope Naja gets transferred anywhere - her solitude is just so saddening.

As for the the MLA orcas, it seems they’ll be there for a few more months. Antis are really hoping for euthanasia IMO, to serve as martyrs
 
yahnih said:
According to @mermaid_fight on IG,

5 females are currently pregnant in China -
• Katenka
• Sonya
• Nukka
• Cookie
• Dora

Also, the 2 WUXI orcas are being sold — with Granvista (Suma), Nagoya, and Shanghai Haichang interested bidders

Naja is also being discussed to be sold again (pending health) - with Nagoya and Shanghai Haichang as potential bidders

I really hope Naja gets transferred anywhere - her solitude is just so saddening.

As for the the MLA orcas, it seems they’ll be there for a few more months. Antis are really hoping for euthanasia IMO, to serve as martyrs
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So Katenka is pregnant again already, wow. Her fourth calf in just six or so years is insane! It's also good to hear Nukka and Sonya are pregnant too - Nukka with her second calf, let's hope she is able to raise her calf this time around. They could have seventeen whales come 2026...not sure how much they can hold in total, but I had assumed they were pretty much at capacity already.

Wuxi's two males would be of great use to Japan so it's no surprise that both Suma and Nagoya are interested.

Nagoya are really in strong pursuit of any additional whales - whether it's a female to breed with Earth or a male/s to breed with Lynn.
 
Jambo said:
So Katenka is pregnant again already, wow. Her fourth calf in just six or so years is insane! It's also good to hear Nukka and Sonya are pregnant too - Nukka with her second calf, let's hope she is able to raise her calf this time around. They could have seventeen whales come 2026...not sure how much they can hold in total, but I had assumed they were pretty much at capacity already.

Wuxi's two males would be of great use to Japan so it's no surprise that both Suma and Nagoya are interested.

Nagoya are really in strong pursuit of any additional whales - whether it's a female to breed with Earth or a male/s to breed with Lynn.
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Is anybody thinking about when she will stop cycling? Corky was only 19 when she stopped cycling due to being bred so quicky 7 calves in 10 years… The way this is going Katenka could stop in 5 more years… This could fault in Chimelongs program…
 
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