Her Story

Shouka was born tail-first on February 25, 1993 to mother Sharkan. She was the first orca successfully born in a European marine park.

In late 2001, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, a marine park in Ohio, stated that they were in the process of bringing Shouka and a male named Kshamenk, from a marine park in Argentina, 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. In May 2002, Shouka arrived at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. The Argentine government denied the export permits for Kshamenk in July 2002.

In 2004, Six Flags, Inc. sold their Worlds of Adventure park to another amusement park company. In April 2004, Shouka was moved to Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California. The park once held orcas for many years, but their last passed away in 2000. With her arrival, the park renamed their "Pacific Stadium" to "Shouka Stadium."

After being alone for several years, Shouka was joined by a male bottlenose dolphin named Merlin in 2006. Several other dolphins live in the same pool system with Shouka, but they do not interact with her. In January 2007, Six Flags Marine World was renamed Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Where You May Have Seen Her

February 25, 1993 - May 20, 2002 (Marineland Côte d' Azur, France)
May 20, 2002 - April 19, 2004 (Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, USA)
April 19, 2004 - Present (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, USA)

What She Looks Like


Photos © Joyousorca.
Do not redistribute.

Her Known Family

Mother: Sharkan
Father: Kim II*
Sisters: Wikie
Brothers: Inouk
Half-brothers: Valentin

* = Deceased