I will also say, they might not consider the bamboo sharks as "part of the exhibit" given that I think they only place them there temporarily as sort of an overflow from the outside touch pools. So I'd bear that in mind for any analysis - could mean that they are putting them in permanently, in a dedicated tank, or it could mean something else.
Yes the Dolphin Stadium will be under renovation for the six months supposedly. Don't know what the renovations will entail but regardless much needed update. Unfortunately this means no orca underwater viewing till then. I also feel like it is a tight fit with 8 orcas just in the the show pool and then the two back pools but guess there is not much they can do.
Do you happen to know if Cardiff and Chance are down in the Orca viewing too? @TheOceanicHippo
Much agree re. renovations, it's no surprise they waited for the conclusion of the summer season before beginning.
I assume these might change though as with only three pools and the med pool it is very hard to transfer orcas between each of them and to rotate who is doing shows. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a full time separation of males and females for the time being as is already when done when a female tests positive to be in estrus and now with the trickier management would be hard to separate on those occasions. Regardless I wish the shamu team the best as I'm sure it is a very tricky time.
I do not know I will try to check later this month. However I would assume they are behind the scenes at animal care with the rest of the dolphin pod that is not at Shamu as well as the pilot whales.
I assume they'll likely just start shows with orcas in the main pool, with orcas then joining/moving out into one of the back pools. It would obviously be much easier if all the orcas could be grouped together, but at least from memory, Ulises and Corky are the only ones who can't be grouped together.
Yes San Diego tests for urine daily and as soon as any of the females start to show any signs of cycling they are separated and once they are finished they are introduced back with the males. They also use birth control as well but just because that is not always 100% accurate both methods together prevent any pregnancies. It seems to be a very solid way to do it as the pod is kept in tack and a more natural social structure can exist compared to the other parks.
I'm not sure but I think if Captain, Sandy, or Bullet are in there they might be too. They are probably behind the scenes though, I don't think they can keep all of the dolphins (15-16) in one tank.
Absolutely not. I imagine they might have half the dolphins there at most.
Very late commentary on this news, but Annie was (besides being the second oldest harbor seal in the US at the time of her death) one of the last surviving animals that were housed at Marineland of the Pacific, which closed in 1987. The last two animals known to still be living are SeaWorld San Diego's killer whale, Corky (captured 1969, est. age 60), and bottlenose dolphin, Crunch (captured 1982, est. age 51)
