Her Story

Corky was likely born in the year 1964. She was collected on December 11, 1969 in Pender Harbour off the coast of British Columbia, Canada and then sold to Marineland of the Pacific in California. Corky was paired with a male named Orky II*. Corky and Orky became the most famous pair of captive orcas in any zoological faclility.

On February 28, 1977, Corky surprised her trainers when she went into labor with her first calf. No one knew she was even pregnant until the calf's flukes appeared. The calf was male, and he became the first orca conceived and born in a zoological park. The trainers noticed that calf wasn't nursing. Neither he nor Corky tried to make an effort. After a week, the trainers force-fed the baby. Still the calf lost a great deal of weight. After 16 days, the little male died. The cause was brain damage and pneumonia.

Corky would mother several more calves with Orky including a son* (October 31, 1978 - November 10, 1978), daughter Kiva* (June 16, 1982 - August 3, 1982), and another daughter* (July 22, 1985 - September 1, 1985).

In late December 1986, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, the owner of SeaWorld, Inc., bought out Marineland for an estimated $23 million. On January 21, 1987, Corky and Orky were transferred to SeaWorld San Diego. Although she was older (and larger) than some of the other females, Corky was subdominant to a female named Kandu V*. On June 22, 1987, Kandu and Corky collided leaving one with a large slash on their side.

On August 21, 1989, during the 4:00 PM PDT show, Corky was performing in the show pool, while Kandu was in a back pool. At some point during the show, Kandu swam from the back pool and straight at Corky. With her mouth open, Kandu rammed Corky just behind her dorsal fin. After the attack, Kandu returned to a back pool. Within a matter of minutes, blood began to spout out of her blowhole as she exhaled. Kandu passed away 45 minutes later. Corky seemed physically unharmed by the event.

Corky has been the focus of many protests formed by anti-captivity groups that want her released back into the wild. SeaWorld San Diego has refused to let her go.

Where You May Have Seen Her

December 11, 1969 - December 1969 (Pender Harbour, BC Canada)
December 1969 - January 21, 1987 (Marineland of the Pacific, USA)
January 21, 1987 - Present (SeaWorld San Diego, USA)

What She Looks Like


Photos © Amanda Pippin.
Do not redistribute.

Her Known Family

Mother: A23/Stripe*
Half-sisters: A43/Ripple
Half-brothers: A27/Okisollo* and A60/Fife
Nieces: A69/Midsummer
Grandmothers: A7*
Daughters: Kiva* and 1985 calf*
Sons: 1977 calf* and 1978 calf*

* = Deceased