Shamu
| Shamu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | August 9, 1971 |
| Occupation | SeaWorld San Diego performer (captive) |
| Years active | 1965 - 1971 |
| Known for |
namesake of the Shamu show |
Shamu was a captive killer whale (orca) which appeared in shows at SeaWorld San Diego in the mid/late 1960s. She was the fourth orca ever captured, and the second female.[1] She was captured in October 1965 and died in August 9, 1971 after about six years in captivity.[2] After her death, the name Shamu continued to be used in SeaWorld "Shamu" orca shows for different whales in different SeaWorld parks.
Contents
History[edit]
Shamu's was the first intentional live capture of a healthy orca. The three previous orca captures ("Wanda," Moby Doll and Namu) had been more opportunistic.[2] The very young, 14 foot (4.25m), 2000 lb (900 kg) Southern Resident orca was captured by Ted Griffin in Puget Sound in October 1965 to be a companion for the orca Namu at Griffin's Seattle public aquarium.[3][4][5] Her name means ‘Friend of Namu’.[citation needed] However, Shamu did not get along with Namu and so was sold to SeaWorld in San Diego in December 1965.[3][6]
She was retired from performing after an incident on April 19, 1971 in which she bit on the legs and hips of Anne Eckis, a SeaWorld employee who was trying to ride her as part of a filmed publicity event, and refused to release the woman until other workers came to the rescue and pried the orca's jaws apart with a pole.[7][8] The employee had been asked to ride Shamu while wearing a bikini, and had not known that the orca had previously attacked people who wore ordinary bathing suits and was only conditioned to perform with trainers wearing wetsuits.[7] The orca had also been showing recent signs of erratic behavior and of being upset just before the incident.[7]
Shamu died about four months later, in August 1971.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "A listing of dolphin/whale captures..." at pbs.org
- ^ a b c "Stories of Captive Killer Whales," PBS link
- ^ a b "SeaWorld Investigation: Secrets Below the Surface". KGTV San Diego. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
- ^ "The Killer in the Pool", Zimmermann, Tim, Outside Magazine, 2010 July Retrieved 2010 July 12
- ^ "Granny's Struggle: A black and white gold rush is on", Lyke, M. L., Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2006 October 11 Retrieved 2010 July 12
- ^ "Shamu - Orca Aware". Orca Aware.
- ^ a b c Eckis v. Sea World Corp. [Civ. No. 14458. Court of Appeals of California, Fourth Appellate District, Division One. November 19, 1976.] [64 Cal. App. 3d 1] (justia.com link)
- ^ "Killer Whale Bites Girl In Marine Act Rehearsal". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. April 20, 1971. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
