FACTS

- Winston (WIN-stun) "victory town" in Old English.
- Likely born in the year 1966.
- First successful orca father at a SeaWorld park.
- Fathered three offspring; one is still alive.
- Also known as Ramu III.
- 100% Southern Resident orca was once a member of J, K, or L pod.

HISTORY

Winston was captured on August 8, 1970, from the waters of Penn Cove off the coast of Washington, USA. Along with him were 79 other orcas. Four died during the event, and 69 were released. Winston and six other orcas were sold to various zoological facilities around the world. Winston was sent to Windsor Safari Park in England. During his stay at Windsor, he lived with several dolphins. Winston was rather protective of the females and would sometimes keep the males away from them.

On October 17, 1976, Winston was sent to SeaWorld San Diego in California. He may have been sold due to his increasing size in his small exhibit at Windsor. There has also been speculation that SeaWorld made a deal with Windsor to acquire Winston in a trade with two females: Winnie* and Hoi Wai*. In the mid 1980's, SeaWorld began to establish a breeding program for their orcas. By this time, Winston was a mature male and ready for breeding. Three of their females, Kenau*, Kandu V*, and Katina, became pregnant. Katina was transferred to SeaWorld Orlando in November 1984 where a newly built Shamu Stadium with breeding facilities had been opened.

On September 26, 1985, Katina went into labor with Winston's first calf. She gave birth to a baby girl that staff called Baby Shamu who would later be named Kalina. The birth was SeaWorld's first. Kalina would become the first orca born and raised in a zoological park to reach her first birthday and many more. On January 5, 1986, Kenau went into labor with Winston's second offspring. She gave birth to a baby girl that staff called Baby Shamu II*. A few days after birth, the calf began to show signs of respiratory problems and died on January 16th from a heart defect. Kandu went into labor on January 31, 1986 with Winston's third calf, but unfortunately it was a stillborn. Winston would not have the chance to father another calf.

On April 28, 1986, around 23:30 PST, Winston passed away due to chronic cardiovascular failure. Winston was about 20-years-old.

On February 2, 1993, Winston became a grandfather for the first time when Kalina delivered her first calf, a son named Keet at SeaWorld San Antonio. Two years later on June 17, 1995, Kalina gave birth to his second grandson, Keto, at SeaWorld Orlando. Four years later, Winston became a grandfather for the third time on June 22, 1999, when Kalina gave birth to her son Tuar. Winston's first granddaughter was born on February 9, 2004 when Kalina gave birth to Skyla. Ten months later on December 21, 2004, Winston became a great-grandfather when a female named Kasatka gave birth to Keet's daughter Kalia. A second great-grandchild was born on October 9, 2005, when a female named Kayla gave birth to Keet's daughter Halyn.

TRANSFERS

August 8, 1970 - October 17, 1976 (Windsor Safari Park, England)
October 17, 1976 - April 28, 1986 (SeaWorld San Diego, USA)

HOW TO IDENTIFY

KNOWN FAMILY

Daughters: Kalina and Baby Shamu II*
Granddaughters: Skyla, Kalia, and Halyn
Grandsons: Keet, Keto, and Tuar
Possible relatives: Lil Nooka*, Lolita/Tokitae, Jumbo*, Chappy*, Clovis*, and Ramu IV*

* = Deceased