When one of Sea World’s most famous whales died in 5 years ago in 2017, the park alleged that a
lung related illness had claimed her life. When images of the Orca’s sores were made public,
some people became suspicious. Statements about the animal dying because it had been injured on
stage or lived in a subpar environment surfaced and worsened the situation.
The female Orca was captured when she was born in 1976 in the sea near Iceland. She is named Kasatka
and her pod mate Katina was also captured as well. The pair of orca were soon sold to SeaWorld
as one might expect. It was after four years in San Diego with Katina
that Orca was transferred to Orlando. Kasatka starred in the famous Shamu show at SeaWorld.
An all-day performance schedule ensured her days were busy, but she made sure to fit
in as many recitals as possible. However, although the people loved her, Kasatka was
not always a friendly character at the park. Make sure you have subscribed to our channel
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In fact, the whale was sometimes aggressive towards humans and in separate incidents in 1993
and 1999, she attempted to bite her trainer, Ken Peters. Things came to a head in November,
2006 when Kasatka violently dragged Peter's underwater. Eventually Peters was able to break
free of Kasatka’s mouth and escape the tank. Somehow the ordeal left him only with
minor injuries. However, a clip of the incident later appeared in Blackfish,
a 2013 documentary that claims to highlight the negative and dangerous effects captivity can have
on killer whales. But even following the attack on Peter's, Kasatka continued to appear in shamu
performances and her starring role in the show wasn't the only way she was valuable to SeaWorld.
In fact, she was also the San Diego pods matriarch
having born four children later leading to six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Kasatka delivered her final child, a male named Makani in February, 2013. However,
his birth proved controversial due to a problem with his mom's lungs discovered by vets
in 2008. Since then, she had relied on an inhaler to pump medicine into her respiratory system.
According to some, this may have made her unfit to carry and deliver another baby.
However, Sea World went ahead with the artificial insemination Kasatka, former SeaWorld trainer,
John Hargrove later questioned the Aqua Park's decision to make the Orca go through
a gestation period of around 18 months. And he also worried Kasatka could pass the medication
in her system onto Makani during nursing. Following the birth of Makani, Kasatka’s
condition deteriorated. Consequently, in August, 2016, SeaWorld announced the whale was having
trouble battling her illness. The park blamed her decline on her age and ailing immune system.
However, this excuse didn't convince many of the organization’s critics. Sea World of hurt
is a branch of the animal welfare group PETA that campaigns exclusively against SeaWorld.
In a statement from August, 2017, they pointed out that Orcas can live over 100 years in the wild.
Meanwhile, Kasatka’s was just 40. However, by other estimates Kasatka, lived to a ripe old age.
According to the born free foundation, the majority of Seaworld’s captive Orcas
do not last longer than 25 years. Furthermore, only one has ever survived to the age of 41.6.
Following Sea World's update on Kasatka in June, 2017
photos emerged of the Orca looking unwell. A park visitor called Elizabeth captured the shocking
images which showed the whale as she lined up for her medication. In an interview, Elizabeth
revealed the worrying story behind the pictures. “When Kasatka lifted her head out of the water,
her lower jaw looked completely disfigured.” She told the dolphin project.
She appeared extremely lethargic and did not swim around the pool as she normally would.
When a trainer asked her to do a behavior for the crowd, she did a pathetic attempt at a spy hop.
“She seemed barely able to get her head out of the water.” Elizabeth added. “When the
trainers were through, they dismissed the group of Orcas and they all left except for Kasatka,
who moved only a few feet from the wall and stayed logging in the same spot until I left.”
In Elisabeth's images, it appeared Kasatka was sporting a number of lesions on her jaw.
According to Hargrove, these were a clear sign of a huge fungal infection.
In fact, he revealed that SeaWorld gives its Orcas large doses of antibiotics to keep them healthy.
And this in turn had likely weakened Kasatka immune system. “Sadly, when I look at this photo,
all I see is a diseased whale.” Hargrove said. Historically, when a necropsy is performed on an
animal with this level of fungal infection, the fungal lesions are far
worse internally than they are externally. It is also an incredibly painful way to die.
Unfortunately, Kasatka passed away in August, 2017, one month after the shocking photos emerged.
In the end, vets put her to sleep as her battle with her illness intensified.
However, the park made no reference to the Orca’s skin sores when it announced her death
online. “Kasatka passed away at approximately 8.15 PM surrounded by members of her pod,
as well as the veterinarians and caretakers who loved her,”- a statement from SeaWorld.
All of us at SeaWorld are deeply saddened by this loss, but thankful for the joy
she has brought us and more than 125 million park guests. However, Sea World’s, emotional
statement didn't wash with Hargrove. “She suffered unbearably so that kids could watch her do tricks
and Sea World could get richer.” He told the daily mail in August, 2017.
“Now she's dead, my only comfort in her death is she is no longer being exploited.
Finally, she is at peace.” But SeaWorld contested Hargrove’s accusations. “These allegations are the
same distortions and mischaracterizations that have been made and discredited over the years.”
The park said in a statement. When it comes to caring for these
beautiful creatures, no one knows the animals better than our vets and animal care staff.
They are dedicated to the health wellbeing of all of our killer whales.
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