FACTS

- Skyla (sky-LAH) means "learned one" in Celtic/Gaelic.
- Born tail first at 22:10 EST.
- 25% Southern Resident 75% Icelandic orca.

HISTORY

On February 9, 2004, Kalina went into labor in the show pool of Shamu Stadium at SeaWorld Orlando. For seven hours, Kalina was followed by son Tuar and "adopted" son Tekoa. At 22:10 EST, a calf was born that weighed 350 pounds and was 7 feet long. Kalina helped it to the surface for its first breath. Within hours, the calf began to nurse.

For weeks, it wasn't sure who the father was, but trainers soon introduced Tilikum as the calf's dad. The gender of the baby was also a mystery, but photos revealed the calf's underside to be that of a female's. After several weeks, a blood test proved this to be true.

In the past, there has usually been a poll to vote for a name for a baby orca, but it seems this time that her trainers wanted to make the decision on their own.

On February 13, 2006, Skyla, Tekoa, Kohana, and Keto were transferred to Loro Parque in Tenerife, Spain.

TRANSFERS

February 9, 2004 - February 13, 2006 (SeaWorld Orlando, USA)
February 13, 2006 - Present (Loro Parque, Spain)

HOW TO IDENTIFY



KNOWN FAMILY

Mother: Kalina
Father: Tilikum
Half-sisters: Nyar*, Unna, Kohana, and Malia
Brothers: Tuar
Half-brothers: Kyuquot, Keet, Taku, Keto, Sumar, Tekoa, Nakai, and Ikaika
Aunts: Katerina*, Unna, and Nalani
Uncles: Taku* and Ikaika
Nieces: Kalia and Halyn
Nephews: Trua
Grandmothers: Katina
Grandfathers: Winston*
Midwife: Tuar and Tekoa
Cousins: Trua

* = Deceased