FACTS

- Sharkan (SHAR-can)
- Likely born in the year 1985.
- First successful orca mother in a European marine park.
- Bore three successful offspring; all are still alive.

HISTORY

Sharkan was captured in October 1989, off the southeast coast of Iceland near Hornafjord. Along with her was a male named Tanouk* and two females named Ran* and Ai*. They were sent to Sædyrasafnid in Iceland. In January 1990, Sharkan and Tanouk were sent to Marineland Côte d' Azur in France. Marineland already owned two orcas: a female named Freya and a male named Kim II*.

Around the time that Sharkan and Tanouk arrived, Kim became sexually mature. Freya was the first orca to give birth on March 3, 1991, but it was a stillborn. Sharkan had more success with her first calf, Shouka, who was born on February 25, 1993. She was the first successful orca birth in a European zoological facility. A month later in March 1993, Freya gave birth to another stillborn.

In 1995, Tanouk was moved to Izu-Mito Sea Paradise in Japan due to dominance issues with the other orcas. On February 14, 1996, Freya finally gave birth to a healthy male calf that was named Valentin. Three years later on February 23, 1999, Sharkan gave birth to her first son, Inouk. In 2000, Marineland opened a new orca habitat, much bigger than their previous exhibit. Because Inouk was still very young when the orcas were moved into their new home, he and Sharkan remained behind until he was older for a transfer. In March 2001, Freya gave birth to a stillborn for a third time. On June 1, 2001, Sharkan gave birth to a second daughter, Wikie.

In May 2002, Shouka was moved to Six Flags Worlds of Adventure in Ohio as part of a long-term loan, and moved again to Six Flags Marine World in California in April 2004. On April 1, 2003, Freya suffered another stillborn. On November 23, 2005, Kim passed away. Because he was the only breeding male at the park, it's not known just how Marineland will continue their breeding program although artificial insemination has been mentioned.

TRANSFERS

October 1989 - January 1990 (Sædyrasafnid, Iceland)
January 1990 - Present (Marineland Côte d' Azur, France)

HOW TO IDENTIFY



KNOWN FAMILY

Daughters: Shouka and Wikie
Sons: Inouk
Possible relatives: Tanouk*, Ai*, and Ran*

* = Deceased