A 20 year old killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando died Sunday afternoon from complications while giving birth to a calf, park officials said.
Taima, an orca who was herself born at SeaWorld Orlando in 1990, died 20 hours after she went into labor Saturday evening. The calf was stillborn.
Taima was one of eight killer whales at the park and had successfully given birth to three calves previously.
Veterinary experts at SeaWorld Orlando said Taima's calf was in an unusual position in the birth canal when she went into labor. She was also suffering from a condition where the placenta is delivered before the calf.
The calf's father was Tilikum, who made headline in February when he grabbed the hair of his trainer Dawn Brancheau and pulled her underwater where she died of severe injuries to her head and body.
SeaWorld said in a statement the park has an excellent history of successful calf births since 1985 and this was the first killer whale to die giving birth in 25 years, saying losing the calf was more common.
I say "RELEASE them all"
Super mega ditto!!!!
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Love these photos! Thanks Dawn. 
Yum... spaghetti for breakfast! 
tee hee...just has to wait a day or so.. 
