October 19, 2007 - Killer Whale at SeaWorld San Antonio Dies
The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A killer whale at the SeaWorld in San Antonio has died unexpectedly. SeaWorld spokesman Fran Stephenson says Taku (tah-KU), a 14-year-old male killer whale, died Wednesday night. Taku had been showing signs of infection for the three days before his death, but he was responding to treatment, Stephenson said. A cause of death has not been determined. Results of an examination will be available in six weeks. Stephenson said there is wide disparity on estimates for the life expectancy of killer whales.

October 18, 2007 - Sea World Killer Whale Dies
San Antonio News 4 WOAI.com

Sea World lost a beloved member of its family this week. Taku, a male killer whale at Sea World died unexpectedly Wednesday. Taku was one of Sea World's six killer whales. He was 14-years-old and weighed 7,000. According to a Sea World spokesperson the team was alerted that something was wrong with Taku late Wednesday night and he died shortly thereafter. The Zoological Operations team have not yet determined a cause of death. A full report should be available in about six weeks. In a statement, a Sea World spokesperson said, "While we recognize that death is part of the life cycle, we are saddened over the unexpected loss of this animal."

October 8, 2007 - Killer Whale Hits Trainer in Spain Zoo
Juan Manuel Pardellas, Associated Press

SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Canary Islands (AP) - A killer whale at a marine park hit its trainer and dragged her underwater repeatedly until it finally freed the woman with a badly bruised chest and a broken arm, park officials said Monday. The trainer, 29-year-old German national Claudia Vollhardt, remained hospitalized Monday after her weekend scare at Loro Parque, a zoo on Tenerife, one of Spain's Canary Islands. Vollhardt was working with a 1.5-ton male orca named Tekoa on Saturday, rehearsing a trick in which they swim together with the whale pushing her feet from behind with its snout, when something went wrong. Tekoa slammed the woman in the chest from underneath and ended up pulling her right arm, park officials said. Pulling Vollhardt with her, the whale submerged and resurfaced several times in the 40-foot deep tank before it finally released the instructor. Vollhardt did not lose consciousness at any time and survived the ordeal because she is in excellent physical condition, said Loro Parque spokeswoman Patricia Delponti. She insisted it was an accident, not an attack. "The whale did not bite her. If it had, she would have lost her arm," Delponti said.

October 7, 2007 - Loro Parque Orca Attacks Trainer
Canarias7.es

According to several news reports out of Spain, an experienced trainer was attacked at Loro Parque by one of their orcas. The incident occured on Saturday the 6th around Noon. During a play or training session in one of the back pools, an unidentified female trainer was bitten by one of the orcas on her right forearm and pulled to the bottom of the pool. Two other trainers entered the water immediatly to help the woman escape. The woman was rushed to a local hospital where authorities stated she had suffered a broken arm and a punctured lung. As for the orca, who is also unidentified, it's being kept alone in a seperate pool where it will be under observation for the time being. Some reports state that the orca involved is male. The four orcas living at Loro Parque arrived in February 2006 from SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Antonio.

September 20, 2007 - Izu-Mito Sea Paradise Loses Their Star
Izu-Mito Sea Paradise

According to the official website for Izu-Mito Sea Paradise in Japan, Asuka, their lone orca, has passed away. Her death came on September 19th at 7:50 AM. Asuka was caught off the coast of Japan in February 1997 along with four other orcas. Today only Ku, a female at the Nagoya Aquarium, survives from this capture. Asuka lived with a male named Yamato until his death in October 2000. Asuka was likely around age 17. The cause of her death has not been announced.

August 3, 2007 - Marineland to Send Orcas to L'Oceanografic
Reuters

It has been announced that L'Oceanogrāfic in Valencia, Spain will acquire two orcas from Marineland in Antibes, France sometime as early as next year. There is no word on which two orcas will be sent to Spain. Last year in July 2006, Parques Reunidos, a Spanish company that owns L'Oceanogrāfic, bought out Marineland. L'Oceanogrāfic is in competition with Loro Parque, another marine park in Spain, which acquired four orcas from SeaWorld in the United States back in February 2006.

June 11, 2007 - Rescued Baby Whale Dies in Mexico
Reuters

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A baby killer whale at the centre of an international animal trafficking controversy has died at an aquarium in Mexico because it lacked its mother's milk after becoming stranded on a Pacific beach. Owners of the aquarium had warned that the whale, who they named Pascuala, would die if she were not sent abroad because there was no tank in Mexico big enough to hold her and she could not fend for herself at sea. But the government and environmentalists opposed a move from the aquarium in Nueva Vallarta because they feared it would set a precedent of animal trafficking from Mexico. Mexico's environment agency said on Monday that the whale, also known as an orca, died on Sunday, two months after becoming stranded on the beach, because her immune system failed to develop due to a lack of milk and she was attacked by infection. The aquarium owners had wanted to send the whale to SeaWorld, an aquatic theme park in San Diego, California, which is home to seven other killer whales that live in a 7 million gallon (26.5 million litre) tank.

May 17, 2007 - Mexican Baby Killer Whale in Tug of Love
Oliver Ellrodt, Reuters

NUEVO VALLARTA, Mexico - A newborn killer whale found bleeding on a Mexican beach has become the centre of an international controversy over whether she should stay in Mexico or be sent to a U.S. marine theme park. Mexican aquarium workers have been feeding the baby named Pascuala around the clock with milk from a tube inserted in her mouth since she was found beached in a Pacific fishing village in April. Pascuala, just over a month old and weighing 403 pounds (183 kg), is still recovering, but if she survives, the aquarium's owners want to send her to the Sea World park in San Diego, California. Her caretakers say there is no tank in Mexico big enough to keep her when she grows and she will die if put back in the sea or kept in an aquarium that is too small for her. Some environmentalists oppose transferring Pascuala to Sea World, however, because it could set a precedent that might enable animal traffickers to export more killer whales, also known as orcas. "It hurts us that this animal might die, but we cannot set a negative precedent," said Alejandro Olivera, head of ocean campaigns for Greenpeace in Mexico. The Mexican government's environmental protection agency has so far blocked a transfer to San Diego, saying Mexico's wildlife should not leave the country. Sea World said it would be happy to accept Pascuala, where she could learn from the park's seven existing orcas. Those killer whales live in a 7 million gallon (26.5 million litre) tank and perform tricks for legions of visitors. Unaware of the controversy surrounding her, the baby orca spends her days swimming and playing with her trainers, who have grown attached to her while acting as surrogate mothers. "It is more than a job or a work experience. This will be one of the most important parts of my career," said Fernando Miranda, who has worked at the Dolphin Adventure park in the Nuevo Vallarta resort city for 10 years. Visitors have flocked to see the baby and hundreds check a blog set up in her name (http://orcapascuala.blogspot.com), where videos, photos and testimonials detail her meals, swimming lessons and attempts to play with nearby dolphins. If Mexico refuses the transfer to Sea World, Pascuala could be released into the ocean. But experts say a successful reintroduction would be difficult for an animal raised with human contact and being fed by hand. Killer whales, the largest and most intelligent members of the dolphin family, live in tight-knit pods that can travel 75 miles (120 km) a day in search of prey. Scientists would have to find Pascuala's family and hope it would accept her. This is not Mexico's first killer whale controversy. 'Free Willy,' the 1993 Warner Brothers blockbuster about an orca whose life is in danger, starred the real-life killer whale Keiko, whose home was a Mexico City amusement park. Following the film's success, fans forced Keiko's move to a larger tank in Oregon and his 2002 release into the ocean. But Keiko continued to seek human contact and after a year died of pneumonia.

April 13, 2007 - Orca Calf Strands in Mexico

According to several reports out of Mexico, a newborn orca was found stranded on Mantanchén Beach in San Blas, Mexico on April 10th. The female calf is believed to be only one to two weeks old. Efforts were made to find the mother since the calf was likely separated from her due to strong currents, but the searches brought no luck. The calf was baptized by the villagers on April 12th because of Passover and given the name Pascuala. She was transferred to Dolphin Adventure, a marine park in Nuevo Vallarta, where she could be properly monitored and given a milk suppliment. Because of the calf's condition, it was determined that she would not be able to be released back into the ocean. Two biologists from SeaWorld San Diego will assist in the care for the calf, and if arrangements can be made, Pascuala might be moved to the park in California where some believe her chances of survival will be greater.

April 10, 2007 - Whale Smacks Trainer During Artificial Insemination
NBC 4 Los Angeles

SAN DIEGO -- A SeaWorld Adventure Park trainer suffered minor injuries Tuesday after being knocked off a retaining wall by an orca during a medical checkup, park officials said. The 35-year-old trainer fell and hit her head and side after being bumped off the wall by Orkid, a female killer whale, during a routine medical examination, said SeaWorld spokeswoman Darla Davis. "She just lost her balance," Davis said. The incident happened at about 8 a.m. Tuesday. The trainer was taken to a University of California, San Diego, hospital for examination. Her name was not released. The 19-year-old whale was having a sonogram taken in preparation for possible artificial insemination, said Dave Koontz, another park spokesman. He said it was unclear if the whale intended to hit the trainer or accidentally bumped into her. "It's hard to say right now," Koontz said. "Orkid's head came up out of the water and bumped the trainer on the side." Koontz said park staff would review the incident. Orkid, who weighs 5,900 pounds, was born in captivity. She has not had any calves. Last November, Orkid grabbed a trainer and pushed him under water during a show at Shamu Stadium, tearing a ligament in the trainer's left ankle. The trainer recovered after being hospitalized. Koontz said trainers do not believe Orkid's behavior was aggressive. That incident came two weeks before another trainer was bit and held underwater several times by Kasatka, a 7,000-pound killer whale, during a show at Shamu Stadium. The trainer escaped with a broken foot and was hospitalized for three days.

April 10, 2007 - SeaWorld Trainer Slightly Injured in Fall
San Diego Union-Tribune

SAN DIEGO – A 35-year-old trainer at SeaWorld suffered what fire officials described as 'very minor injuries' when she was struck by a killer whale Tuesday morning. According to Mike Scarpuzzi, SeaWorld vice president for zoological operations, the incident involved Orkid, a 19-year-old female killer whale that was born at the park. The trainer was one of several trainers and veterinary staff conducting a sonogram on Orkid as part of a procedure to artificially inseminate the marine mammal, Scarpuzzi said. The trainer was sitting on a low wall around the pool when Orkid's head came up inadvertently and hit her, knocking her backward onto the concrete floor. "She just fell backward and hit her head," Scarpuzzi said. The trainer suffered what Fire Department spokesman Maurice Luque described as "very minor upper-body trauma" and was taken to a hospital as a precaution. She was conscious throughout and showed no signs of major pain or distress, Luque said. Scarpuzzi desribed the sonogram as a "very normal routine process" done on all SeaWorld animals. "We will review this incident and if there's anything to learn from it, we will make any adjustments that are necessary," he said.

March 13, 2007 - SeaWorld Welcomes Newest "Pea" to Pod
SeaWorld Orlando

Spring has sprung early at SeaWorld Orlando as the park welcomes a new baby killer whale to the Shamu family on the 12th of March 2007. The calf's mother, Taima, gave birth to the 6-foot-long, 350-pound newborn at 4:48 p.m. in SeaWorld Orlando's multimillion-gallon research and breeding facility, Shamu Stadium, following a one-hour labor. Moments later, the baby whale instinctively swam to the surface of the water for its first breath of air. The calf began nursing within hours. One of the most photographed killer whales in the Shamu family, Taima is also the mother of two other killer whales. She is 18 feet long and weighs 6,500 pounds. Taima was also born at SeaWorld Orlando during a 1989 thunderstorm, which is where she get's her name; "Taima" is Icelandic for "crash of thunder." SeaWorld animal care specialists remain cautiously optimistic about the progress of the baby and its mother. The sex of the calf is yet to be determined. The birth of this new whale brings the Orlando pod to nine whales, ranging in size from this 350-pound baby to a 12,000-pound male. SeaWorld's killer whale breeding program is the most successful in the world. This calf is the 15th killer whale born at SeaWorld Orlando and the 23rd to be born and successfully raised throughout all three SeaWorld parks.

March 12, 2007 - New Whale Born at SeaWorld Orlando
Central Florida News 13

A new and very large baby is now swimming the tanks at SeaWorld Orlando. Monday, a killer whale was born at the attractions research and breeding facility. The whale was six feet long, and 350 pounds at birth. SeaWorld's killer whale breeding program is the most successful in the world. This calf is the 15th killer whale born at SeaWorld Orlando and the 23rd to be born and successfully raised throughout all three SeaWorld parks.
See footage of the birth here.

March 4, 2007 - State Investigation Says Killer Whale Trainer Fatalities Likely
Elliot Spagat, The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO – A trainer survived an orca attack at SeaWorld Adventure Park because he stayed calm, but it is only a matter of time before someone is killed, state investigators found. Trainer Kenneth Peters, 39, was bitten and held underwater several times by the 7,000-pound killer whale during a show at Shamu Stadium Nov. 29. He escaped with a broken foot and was hospitalized for three days. "His training and sense of calm are to be commended and probably why he was finally released," according to a report by California Industrial Relations Department's Occupational Safety and Health Division. "Not everyone would be able to have such an extraordinary presence of mind while in the jaws of an animal that is capable of killing him." Swimming with captive orcas "is inherently dangerous and if someone hasn't been killed already it is only a matter of time before it does happen," the report finds. A SeaWorld San Diego official disagreed with some of the report's findings and said they reflected a lack of understanding of whale behavior. He denied that a trainer's death was inevitable. "How can you speculate that it's only a matter of time before someone dies?" said Mike Scarpuzzi, vice president of zoological operations. "We've been doing this for 40 years and no one has died. We're the experts." Scarpuzzi credited the trainer's calm response to the attack, but also said nets laid over the pool's surface prompted the whale to rise from the bottom of the pool, allowing the trainer to get air. State investigators said the net and other rescue techniques failed. The report did not explain what led the whale to surface. Investigators recommended SeaWorld consider lethal force to save a trainer's life using explosive devices known as "bang sticks." Scarpuzzi said SeaWorld would not consider lethal force because it could endanger the trainer and the diver assigned to kill the whale. Trouble began when Kasatka, a 28-year old orca who was captured off the Iceland coast when she was a year old, bit Peters' feet and held him under water for nearly a minute, the report says. Kasatka dunked the trainer under water several times but appeared to calm down. She did not release Peters' foot as the trainer calmly stroked her sides above water. Employees called 911 and evacuated the stadium. The whale briefly released the trainer but would not allow other employees near. Then she grabbed Peters' feet, pulled him under water and lay against him for about a minute on the bottom of the pool. Peters "felt his breath going out and he thought about his boy and wondered if she was going to let him up," the report said. Kasatka then released the trainer, who swam to safety at the side of the pool. The 17-foot-long whale is the dominant female of SeaWorld San Diego's seven killer whales. She had attacked Peters on two prior occasions, in 1993 and 1999. SeaWorld officials met with state investigators Thursday to object to the report's findings and recommendations. State authorities will consider the objections and may revise the report, said Dean Fryer, a spokesman for the Department of Industrial Relations. SeaWorld will not be fined or penalized. SeaWorld agrees with some of the report's eight recommendations, including the installation of employee intercoms and more special hooks that are designed to rescue trainers, Scarpuzzi said.

February 28, 2007 - New Report Suggests Less Stress for SeaWorld Killer Whales
KGTV TheSanDiegoChannel.com

A new report is recommending trainers at SeaWorld try to reduce the stress experienced by killer whales, 10News reported. The report released Tuesday by CAL/OSHA is in response to an attack by a killer whale that left a trainer injured. The 39-year-old trainer was bit and dragged under water by a killer whale during a performance in November. The trainer broke a bone in his left foot, but was able to make a full recovery.

Among the recommendations issued by CAL/OSHA:
- Allow trainers sufficient time to focus on the care and training of the killer whales
- Have more orcas within the population
- Eliminate the stress within the performing population of orcas
- Investigate portable breathing devices that could be worn by trainers whenever they enter the pool with a killer whale
- Improve communication methods in the stadium

January 18, 2007 - Marine World Renamed Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
After months of speculation, Six Flags reintroduced it's northern California theme park as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom yesterday.
PRNewswire-FirstCall

VALLEJO, Calif. - A stunning transformation will reveal thrills by land, sea and sky at a renowned Northern California theme park as Six Flags Marine World -- America's original combination wildlife park, oceanarium and theme park -- announced today an exciting new makeover and name change. The park, newly branded Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, will let guests experience a one-of-a- kind adventure featuring a wide range of thrilling experiences, from interactions with exotic land animals and majestic marine life to rides and attractions that will delight families and guests of all ages.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore Six Flags Discovery Kingdom when the park opens March 24, 2007, and beginning on opening day guests will find the park classified into three fun-filled areas -- "Land," "Sea" and "Sky." Each area will offer something special for every guest, as the new Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is designed to foster both physical and emotional discovery in a dynamic, family-friendly environment. The park's attractions, including stunning shows, strolling performers and animal interactions, will all be updated to reflect the park's new name and identity. Families across the country searching for the adventure of a lifetime need look no further than Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

"The name Six Flags Discovery Kingdom now reflects every aspect of what makes the park so unique," said Six Flags President and CEO Mark Shapiro. "Throughout its history, Marine World offered guests a truly distinctive theme park environment, and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will build and improve on that great tradition. Only at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom can guests ride world-class coasters, feed giraffes, interact with dolphins and watch a killer whale glide through the water, all in one location. A trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will be an unforgettable experience that will create a lifetime of memories for our guests."

The Tour

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Entry
Guests will enter Six Flags Discovery Kingdom through the newly themed Entry Plaza after exiting safari-themed trams which transport them from the parking areas. Once there, families can catch a first glimpse of the adventure that awaits within the park as they meet some of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's most interesting inhabitants at the Animal Outpost. There, the park's animal ambassadors will be on hand to provide up-close encounters with a porcupine, lesser anteater, macaws and other unique critters. Guests can also interact with trainers, ask questions about the species or snap a friendly photograph of one of the park's amazing animals from around the globe.

Explorers Outpost
Guests looking to map their trek through the park will begin their journey at the new Explorers Outpost in the Entry Plaza. The Explorers Outpost will serve as a starting point for guests, as well as a place to get information on the 140-acre park's diverse features. Knowledgeable park ambassadors will be available to help arrange animal interactive experiences, such as Dolphin Discovery, Sea Lion Celebration, Sharks in the Dark, Sunset Seafari and the new Trainer for a Day program, or schedule safari tours, suggest dining options and provide insight on exciting park contests. While at the Explorers Outpost, guests interested in meeting a broad variety of the park's animals will have the opportunity to purchase the Seafari Pass, which allows them to feed dolphins, giraffes, sea lions and lorikeet, as well as ride Tava the elephant and her friends. Intrepid park explorers who want to beat the crowds can also purchase Flash Passes for the park's most popular rides at this one- stop venue. After planning out their day at the Explorers Outpost, families are ready to begin their exploration through Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Adventures on Land
The wonders of the jungle will await in the "Land" portion of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, where guests will navigate their own safari as they feed inquisitive giraffes or catch a glimpse of powerful lions. From Tava's Elephant Trails, where guests can ride the park's pachyderms, to Odin's Tiger Island where they can get up close with regal jungle cats, the "Land" area of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will amaze both young and old. An expedition through "Land" also offers an elaborate jungle-themed show, performers, fun children's rides at Tava's Jungle Land, and delicious dining options.

Excitement by Sea
Guests will come 'face to fin' with captivating marine life in the "Sea" portion of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Guests will soon take in the new killer whale show starring Shouka, the park's majestic orca whale, or head down to Merlin's Dolphin Theater to catch the new dolphin show and discover the world of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin friends. "Sea" explorers are sure to fall in love with the walruses, laugh at the clever and entertaining sea lions and gasp at the mysterious sharks in a variety of distinct animal environments. The park's Ocean Discovery program offers the most personal glimpse of "Sea," providing participants with the chance to feed and pet dolphins and stingrays and meet some of the park's penguins. Guests won't want to miss the opportunity to board the many themed children's rides or have a snack at one of the "Sea" area's tasty eateries.

Thrills in the Sky
It is in the "Sky" section of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom that guests will experience the pulse-pounding, heart-thumping and exhilarating rides that set this park apart from any other. Thrill enthusiasts will find a host of roller coasters -- including Medusa, Vertical Velocity (V2) and the wooden Roar -- to be the best in Northern California. The "Sky" section will also host the JUSTICE LEAGUE Super Hero Stage, a venue featuring the park's many well-known super heroes from BATMAN and ROBIN to THE FLASH, GREEN LANTERN and WONDER WOMAN. Adrenaline junkies will scream with delight while soaring through the "Sky" at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.