FACTS

- Tuar (TOO-ar) means "unique" in Inuktitut.
- Born tail first at 19:53 EDT.
- First captive born orca to be named via Internet poll.
- 25% Southern Resident 75% Icelandic orca.

HISTORY

On June 22, 1999, after a two hour labor in the show pool at Shamu Stadium, Kalina gave birth to her third calf. The following month, trainers had determined that the calf was a male. For the first time, the SeaWorld Orlando trainers decided to let the public name the calf by a voting poll. More than 180,000 people cast their votes. The choices were: Tuar (Inuit for "unique") with 72,304 votes, Illa (Inuktitut for "friend") with 57,167 votes, and Okkar (Icalandic for "ours") with 53,657 votes. The calf was named Tuar in December 1999.

On February 9, 2004, Kalina went into labor with Tuar's sister Skyla. Tuar and half-bother Tekoa were with Kalina during her seven hour labor.

On April 25, 2004, Tuar and Tekoa were moved to SeaWorld San Antonio. The boys were reunited with their half-sister Unna. Tuar was also introduced to half-brothers Kyuquot, Keet, and Keto. Less than two years later in February 2006, Keto and Tekoa were sent to Loro Parque in Spain. That same year in November, Tuar's half-bother Taku* in Orlando switched places with a female named Kayla at the San Antonio park.

TRANSFERS

June 22, 1999 - April 25, 2004 (SeaWorld Orlando, USA)
April 25, 2004 - Present (SeaWorld San Antonio, USA)

HOW TO IDENTIFY



KNOWN FAMILY

Mother: Kalina
Father: Tilikum
Sisters: Skyla
Half-sisters: Nyar*, Unna, Kohana, and Malia
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*
Cousins: Trua

* = Deceased