SeaWorld Killer Whale and Calf Die During Birth

[Donna]

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"

[Annette]

Very sad story. 

[MAK]

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!!!!

[Bird Crazy]

 

[jeanne]

This is such a devastating loss.  The trainer, the mama and her baby----

[dbishop]

I say "RELEASE them all"

It was tried with Kako.   It took the 3 years to teach him how to hunt for fish on his own, and even then he imprinted on people, and was apparently rejected by wild Orca.   He was found dead a year after being released in Norway.

We can't release these animals, it would be killing them slowly, like was done with Kako.  The best place for them is where they are, in a large aquarium where they can be with one another.  Instead of hunting, they perform.   Thus we have create a new "social" species of Orca, that is now captive.

We can't undo what we have done to them, so all we can do is maintain them as they are.

[jeanne]

I say "RELEASE them all"

It was tried with Kako.   It took the 3 years to teach him how to hunt for fish on his own, and even then he imprinted on people, and was apparently rejected by wild Orca.   He was found dead a year after being released in Norway.

We can't release these animals, it would be killing them slowly, like was done with Kako.  The best place for them is where they are, in a large aquarium where they can be with one another.  Instead of hunting, they perform.   Thus we have create a new "social" species of Orca, that is now captive.

We can't undo what we have done to them, so all we can do is maintain them as they are.

I remember when that happened.  So sad! 

[Tokira]

It was tried with Kako.   It took the 3 years to teach him how to hunt for fish on his own, and even then he imprinted on people, and was apparently rejected by wild Orca.   He was found dead a year after being released in Norway.

We can't release these animals, it would be killing them slowly, like was done with Kako.  The best place for them is where they are, in a large aquarium where they can be with one another.  Instead of hunting, they perform.   Thus we have create a new "social" species of Orca, that is now captive.

We can't undo what we have done to them, so all we can do is maintain them as they are.

Thank You!
We, of all people, should understand that a "wild" animal who has imprinted on humans is unlikely to survive if returned to "the wild".  The only hope for many endangered species is captive breeding programs.  It is no kindness to abandon these animals to "nature", where they will almost surely die miserably.
Carol
WV