FACTS

- Taku (TAH-koo) is the name of a river in British Columbia and a native tribe.
- Born tail first at 21:15 EDT.
- 100% Icelandic orca.

HISTORY

Taku was born on September 9, 1993, at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida to mother Katina and father Tilikum after a 59-minute labor. He was the first male orca born at SeaWorld Orlando. A little over three months later, an adult female named Gudrun* gave birth to Taku's half-sister, Nyar*. In October 1994, another half-sister, Kalina, was transferred back to Orlando from SeaWorld San Antonio. She gave birth to Taku's nephew, Keto, on June 17, 1995. On April 1, 1996, Nyar passed away due to immune system failure.

On December 27, 1996, Katina went into labor with her fourth calf. Three hours later, Taku's sister Unna was born. The two siblings were very close. A female named Taima gave birth on May 14, 1998, to Taku's half-brother Sumar. In March 1999, Keto and Sumar were transferred to SeaWorld San Diego. On June 22, 1999, Kalina gave birth to son Tuar. The following year on November 8, 2000, Taima gave birth again to another half-brother for Taku, Tekoa.

On August 25, 2002, Katina went into labor for a fifth time. Both Taku and Unna were with her, but Taku aparently became excited, so he was moved into another pool. His brother Ikaika was born after just an hour. Taku often played "baby-sitter" to Ikaika when he was a baby. A little over three months later on December 7, 2002, Unna was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio.

Kalina gave birth to Skyla, Taku's half-sister, on February 9, 2004. In April 2004, Takara and her daughter and Taku's half-sister Kohana, were transferred from SeaWorld San Diego. Taku quickly seemed to show an interest in Takara and it wasn't long before she became pregnant. On April 1, 2005, Taku became "overly excited" during a show and bumped one of his trainers. Luckily the trainer was unharmed and there was no sign of aggression on Taku's part. On November 23, 2005, Takara gave birth to Taku's first offspring, a son named Trua.

On October 17, 2007, Taku passed away unexpectedly during the night. The cause of his death was a sudden case of pneumonia. Taku was 14 years and 1 month old.

TRANSFERS

September 9, 1993 - November 17, 2006 (SeaWorld Orlando, USA)
November 17, 2006 - October 17, 2007 (SeaWorld San Antonio, USA)

HOW TO IDENTIFY



KNOWN FAMILY

Mother: Katina
Father: Tilikum
Sisters: Unna
Half-sisters: Kalina, Katerina*, Nyar*, Kohana, Skyla, Nalani, and Malia
Brothers: Ikaika
Half-brothers: Kyuquot, Sumar, Tuar, Tekoa, and Nakai
Nieces: Skyla
Nephews: Keet, Keto, and Tuar
Midwife: Gudrun*?
Daughters: Nalani
Sons: Trua

* = Deceased