Community | October 05, 2010 | 12 comments

Kalina, Another Orca Held at SeaWorld Orlando, Has Died

source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/05/florida.whale.death/index.html?hpt=Sbin

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EthicalVegan
Killer whale dies unexpectedly at SeaWorld Orlando
By the CNN Wire Staff
October 5, 2010 3:37 p.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* 25-year-old Kalina died Monday after a sudden illness; cause is yet to be determined
* She is the third adult whale to die at one of SeaWorld's parks in four months



(CNN) -- A 25-year-old killer whale unexpectedly died at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, the park said in a statement Tuesday.

The whale, named Kalina, died Monday evening after a sudden illness, according to the statement.

The cause of death will be determined by a necropsy, the park said, adding that the results could take up to six weeks.

The park said Kalina "showed no signs of illness as recently as Friday" and had a normal appetite Sunday.

"She began exhibiting signs of discomfort Monday afternoon and died suddenly in the evening," the statement said.

Kalina is the third adult whale to die at one of SeaWorld's three locations in four months. In September, 12-year-old male killer whale Sumar died suddenly at the San Diego park, and 20-year-old Taima died while giving birth to a stillborn calf at the Orlando park in June.

The average life expectancy for male killer whales in the wild is about 30 years, while females generally live about 50 years. The average life span in captivity is significantly less.


Photo: Kalina
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12 comments // Kalina, Another Orca Held at SeaWorld Orlando, Has Died

  • Fernando_Parrotta
  • GISchmo
  • Fernando_Parrotta
  • Mariased
    • +2
      Mariased  

    • This place needs to be shut down. They aren't doing anything really beneficial for these creatures, just lining their pockets at their expense.

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
  • idealist
    • +2
      idealist  

    • it's not the water, it's the fact that they were caught around the same time and will want to kill themselves around the same...year.
      i watched a documentary on flipper "the real life old school dolphin" (here on current i think posted bye people.) and in that documentary the trainer was fully convinced that the dolphin choose simply to stop breathing and die. form depression of captivity over most other factors.
      sooooooo.
      will they find new whales and continue the show? has our whale wars proved nothing?

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • idealist:

      Yes, I think they WILL continue these damn shows. Not enough people keeping up the protests (and sometimes, it's the overly-confrontational people who get into the spotlight, which doesn't always help), or continuously being able to get on the backs of those who are "in power," if you will. It's up to ALL of us to write our letters (difficult these days), send our emails, make our phone calls, write letters to the editors of our local and national newspapers, etc.

    • 1 year ago
  • ThatdBMe
  • EthicalVegan
    • +2
      EthicalVegan  
    • ThatdBMe:

      I hardly think it's the water exclusively but, instead, the fact that these beautiful sea creatures are imprisoned. Try locking up yourself into a bathroom for two weeks only, and see how you begin to feel. This is not a dig at you, but at any business that exploits any other living being.

    • 1 year ago
  • ThatdBMe
  • EthicalVegan
  • EthicalVegan
    • +1
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://www.marketwatch.com/story/animal-defenders-international-wants-to-know-wh...

      Oct. 5, 2010, 7:31 p.m. EDT

      Animal Defenders International Wants to Know Why SeaWorld Orcas Are Dying Prematurely

      LOS ANGELES, Oct 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

      Animal Defenders International (ADI), the leading animal welfare organization that works globally for the protection of animals, is distressed to learn that within a month of the death of 'Sumar,' a young captive orca who died in captivity at a SeaWorld facility in San Diego, 'Kalina,' a young female orca has now died at the Orlando theme park.

      According to SeaWorld, 25-year old Kalina died on Monday, October 4 after a sudden illness. Kalina was SeaWorld's first successful birth in the park's breeding program, and in 2004 gave birth to her fourth calf.

      Jan Creamer, President of LA-based Animal Defenders International, said that the death of Kalina now meant that three killer whales had died at SeaWorld this year alone.

      "These losses are totally unacceptable and avoidable. When will SeaWorld finally realize that the unnatural existence of these wonderful creatures in their facilities is devastating the very animals that they claim to care for.

      "Yet again SeaWorld creates another casualty for captive orcas with the premature death of Kalina, who now joins Sumar who died just last month at a SeaWorld facility in San Diego at the tender, premature age of 12.

      "When will SeaWorld realize what we have always known - if you keep these magnificent, intelligent, sociable creatures isolated in pools barely big enough to hold them, with little or no normal stimulation or natural interaction, and get them to entertain people like clowns, then the stress, frustration and boredom will drive them to an early grave -- it really is as simple as that.

      "These captive whales are paying far too high a price for entertainment and SeaWorld surely must now do the right thing by those still held captive and release them back into the wild, having reconditioned them to do so," Creamer added.

      These two premature deaths follow the case of Tilly, who tragically killed his trainer earlier this year. He has spent 25 years in captivity and Animal Defenders International believes that his attack was a clear indication that he was suffering from frustration and from a severely deprived environment. The premature deaths of Sumar and now Kalina points toward stress and desperation.

      ADI has collected evidence that the use of wild animals such as these in captivity causes psychological suffering and extreme physical and mental effects.

      Creamer said: "In the wild orcas live in large, complex family groups, roaming around 200kms in a day, hunting, playing, interacting with their own species and they are the kings and queens of their kingdom.

      "Compare that existence to a life spent isolated in a tiny tank, eating the same diet, being forced to breed and doing the same thing day after day for 25 years. Is it really any wonder that these wonderful animals are dying so prematurely?

      "All these cases provide conclusive examples as to why orcas should not be kept in captivity for entertainment."

      Animal Defenders International is now asking people to ram home the message to SeaWorld to ensure that these majestic creatures did not die in vain. Go to Freetilly.net where you can get all the facts about their Free Tilly campaign.

      Judge for yourself, sign the pledge and send a message to SeaWorld to let them know that you refuse to endorse the use of captive marine mammals in entertainment and do all you can to help free Tilly by raising awareness of the issues surrounding the keeping of marine mammals in captivity for entertainment.

      Animal Defenders International (ADI)

      With offices in Los Angeles, London and Bogota, Animal Defenders International (ADI) is a major international campaigning group, lobbying to protect animals on issues such as animals in entertainment and their use in experiments; worldwide traffic in endangered species; vegetarianism; factory farming; pollution and conservation. ADI involves itself in international animal rescues as well as educational work on animals, conservation and environment. Founded in 1990, ADI has become a major force for animal protection and has succeeded through its undercover investigations in securing legal protection for animals. ADI opposes violence or intimidation whether directed at humans or other animals.

      ADI-gathered evidence has led to campaigns and legislative action all over the world to protect them.

      ADI's Mission: To educate, create awareness, and promote the interest of humanity in the cause of justice, and the suppression of all forms of cruelty to animals wherever possible to alleviate suffering, and to conserve and protect animals and the environment.

      www.adiusa.org

      www.ad-international.org

      SOURCE: Animal Defenders International

      Agnes Huff Communications
      Agnes Huff or Anna Jerden
      310-641-2525
      ahuff@ahuffgroup.com
      ajerden@ahuffgroup.com

      Photo: Kalina

    • 1 year ago
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