His Story

Kshamenk was likely born in the year 1988. He was "rescued" on September 19, 1992, after he and three other orcas were found stranded in Samborombon Bay, Argentina. Evidence and eyewitness testimony strongly suggested that Kshamenk, as well as the others, were forced to strand in order to collect them for public display due to Argentine laws that prevent commercial capture of wild marine mammals. One orca, who was too large for the capture crew to handle, was released. Kshamenk and the other two were moved to the marine park Mundo Marino. One of the orcas died while in the process of being moved to the park. Another orca given the title "Father of Kshamenk"* continuously rammed into the concrete walls of his pool until he died. Kshamenk was the only survivor.

Kshamenk wasn't the only orca at Mundo Marino at the time of his arrival. A lone female named Belén* was his new companion. Even though Kshamenk appeared to be in good health, Mundo Marino determined he could not be released. In February 1998, Belén delivered a stillborn calf. Two years later on February 4, 2000, Belén passed away carrying a 4-month-old fetus.

In late 2001, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, a marine park in Ohio, stated that they were in the process of bringing Kshamenk and a female from Marineland in Antibes, France named Shouka together on long-term breeding loans. Park officials hoped they would arrive in time for the 2002 season. The National Marine Fisheries Service granted import permits for both orcas in May 2002. Shouka arrived in Ohio that same month, but Argentina still hadn't issued an export permit for Kshamenk.

In late July 2002, Argentina denied an export permit for Kshamenk. Under Argentine law, the country does not allow wild mammals to be exported unless they were bred in captivity or have been declared a nuisance. Kshamenk is legally being held in trust by the marine park for the people of Argentina. This means that Mundo Marino cannot sell Kshamenk because he isn't their property.

Since the refusal of the export permit, activists have been pushing for the release of Kshamenk back into the wild.

Where You May Have Seen Him

September 19, 1992 - Present (Mundo Marino, Argentina)

What He Looks Like


Photos © Kshamenk_mel@hotmail.com and Terry Hardie.
Do not redistribute.

His Known Family

* = Deceased