Last SeaWorld killer whale born in captivity in Texas

Orlando-based SeaWorld announced in March 2016 that it would stop breeding the creatures following a public backlash.

Thursday 20 April 2017 11:18, UK

An Orca killer whale is seen underwater at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California
Image: SeaWorld has not collected a wild orca for nearly 40 years, breeding the species in captivity
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The last killer whale has been born in captivity at SeaWorld in Texas, just over a year after the theme park announced it would stop breeding the species.

SeaWorld, which also has parks in San Diego, California, and Orlando, Florida, decided to stop breeding orcas following animal rights protests and declining ticket sales.

The Orlando-based company, which has not collected a wild orca in almost 40 years, announced the calf was born at its San Antonio park on Wednesday afternoon.

The newborn, which brings the total number of orcas in the United States to 23, has not yet been named, as vets work to determine whether it is male or female.

The mother, 25-year-old Takara, was already pregnant when SeaWorld announced the end of its breeding programme in March 2016.

Spokeswoman Suzanne Pelisson Beasley said birth control and "social management" would prevent future orca breeding.

Trainers have Orca killer whales perform for the crowd during a show at the animal theme park SeaWorld in San Diego, California March 19, 2014. A California lawmaker introduced a bill to ban live performances and captive breeding of killer whales in the state, a measure that would force the SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park to end is popular "Shamu" shows.
Image: Killer whales perform for a crowd at a show at SeaWorld in San Diego in 2014

SeaWorld will also phase out its world-famous killer whale shows by 2019, after the 2013 documentary Blackfish sparked a backlash against keeping orcas, dolphins and other animals in captivity for entertainment.

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The film focused on Tilikum, who killed his trainer Dawn Branchaeu in Orlando in 2010 during a "Dine with Shamu" show.

Tilikum, who sired 14 calves over 25 years in the park, died in Janaury.

SeaWorld has said it will replace the killer whale shows with "natural orca encounters".

In the meantime, visitors will be able to see the new calf at the San Antonio park's orca stadium pool, or in two adjacent pools - where it will be observed by trainers reporting to researchers investigating the species.

But PETA vice president Tracy Reiman said mother Takara should be moved to a seaside sanctuary with her new offspring.

She said: "Throughout her life, Takara the orca has been artificially inseminated many times, separated from her mother and two of her children, and shuffled from theme park to theme park at SeaWorld's whim."

SeaWorld's chief zoological officer Chris Dold said the park has no current plans to relocate any orcas.

He also insisted that SeaWorld is still committed to orca research and conservation, adding: "[The last orca birth] is a solemn reminder of how things can change and how things can be lost."

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