Dedicated to those who did not survive the show
Number of orcas who have died in captivity: 169
This page details every killer whale that has died in captivity since 1961. Two formerly captive killer whales (Ishmael and Keiko – found in bold) are not included in the total number given at the top of the page as neither died in captivity. Ishmael, a U.S Navy Orca involved in Project Deep Ops, escaped off the north coast of Oahu, Hawaii, in February 1971. It’s unknown if he’s dead or alive. Keiko, star of Free Willy, was famously rehabilitated and released into the wild where he interacted with wild orcas and travelled 870 miles across the Atlantic from Iceland to Norway. In December 2003 Keiko passed away at 26 years old from what was believed to be Acute Pneumonia – a common disease both in captivity and in the wild.
Also not included in the total at the top of the page are 31 unsuccessful pregnancies (found here) and 15 mortalities during capture operations which are as follows:
– Between September 1962 and August 1970 at least 10 whales died during capture operations in Washington State, USA. During this time, at least 1 orca died in British Columbia, Canada.
– Another orca died during the 1992 capture in Argentina
– Between September 2003 and August 2018, at least three orcas died during three capture operations in Russia.
All these included would bring the total death count up to 215 orcas.
Note: According to data released by the Japanese Fisheries Agency, a total of 63 orcas have been taken in Japanese waters since 1972. 20 were taken into captivity and are listed as deceased in the above count. That means in addition to the ones listed below another 43 orcas have been taken, possibly killed during capture operations or more probably killed for meat or pet food.
To view photos of a certain orca simply click on the orca’s name!
| Name | Wild Population & Ecotype OR Captive Mother / Father | Sex | Origin | Capture / Birth Date | Est. Age at Capture | Length at Capture (cm) | Place of Death | Date of Death | Age at Death | Time in Captivity | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanda | Unknown | F | Newport Harbor, California, USA | 1961/11/18 | 10(+) years old | 521 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1961/11/20 | 10(+) years old | 2 days | Pneumonia, Gastroenteritis |
| Moby Doll | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (J pod) | M | Saturna Island, British Columbia, Canada | 1964/7/16 | 5 years old | 467 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1964/10/9 | 5 years old | 85 days (2 months, 23 days) | Drowning. Skin Disease. |
| Namu / C11 | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (Mother believed to be C5 Kwattna) | M | Warrior Cove, Namu, British Columbia, Canada | 1965/6/23 | 9(+) years old | 655 | Seattle Marine Aquarium, Washington State, USA | 1966/7/9 | 10(+) years old | 381 days (1 year, 16 days) | Drowning - infected with clostridium perfringens (an anaerobic bacteria) which caused severe colic. |
| Shamu | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | F | Carr Inlet, Puget Sound, Washington State, USA | 1965/10/31 | 4 years old | 410 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1971/8/29 | 9 years old | 2128 days (5 years, 9 months, 29 days) | Pyometra (a uterine infection) and Septicemia (blood poisoning) |
| Kandu | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (K pod) | F | Yukon Harbor, Washington State, USA | 1967/2/15 | 1 year old | 312 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1971/6/16 | 5 years old | 1582 days (4 years, 4 months, 1 day) | Pneumonia and Liver Necrosis |
| Katy | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (K pod) | F | Yukon Harbor, Washington State, USA | 1967/2/15 | Less than 1 year old | 249 | Seattle Marine Aquarium, Washington State, USA | 1967/5 | Less than 1 year old | 75 days (2 months, 16 days) | Obstructed Esophagus / Intentional Drowning. |
| Kilroy | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (K pod) | M | Yukon Harbor, Washington State, USA | 1967/2/15 | 1 year old (or less) | 290 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1978/9/23 | 12 years old | 4238 days (11 years, 7 months, 8 days) | Gangrenous Pneumonia |
| Ramu | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (K pod) | M | Yukon Harbor, Washington State, USA | 1967/2/15 | 4 years old | 406 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1982/1/12 | 18 years old | 5445 days (14 years, 10 months, 28 days) | SeaWorld deceptively listed his cause of death as ""Old age"". For 18 months prior to his death, Ramu was treated for ""chronic, partially unresponsive, hypochromic microcytic anemia, nephritis and congestive heart failure"". His necroposy detailed ""cardiopulmonary decomposition, infectious pleuritis and numerous senile changes"". He did not die from old age. |
| Skana / Walter | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (K pod) | F | Yukon Harbor, Washington State, USA | 1967/2/15 | 4 years old | 427 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1980/10/5 | 17 years old | 4981 days (13 years, 7 months, 20 days) | General Mycotic (fungal) Infection |
| Orky | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (I11 pod) | M | Shushartie Bay, Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada | 1967/7/25 | 4 years old | 427 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1969/7 | 5 years old | 707 days (1 year, 11 months, 6 days) | Pneumonia, Influenza |
| Lupa | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | F | Vaughn Bay, Washington State, USA | 1968/2 | 12(+) years old* | 549 | New York Aquarium, New York State, USA | 1968/9/6 | 12(+) years old | 218 days (7 months, 5 days) | Pneumonia |
| Hugo | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Vaughn Bay, Washington State, USA | 1968/2/20 | 3 years old | 399 | Miami Seaquarium, Florida, USA | 1980/3/4 | 15 years old | 4396 days (12 years, 13 days) | Aneurysm Cerebral Artery |
| Bonnie | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (A5 pod) | F | Garden Bay, Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1968/4/26 | 15(+) years old | 610 | Marine World Africa, California, USA | 1968/7/29 | 15(+) years old | 94 days (3 months, 3 days) | Heart Failure, Stillbirth Complications |
| Corky | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (A5 pod) | F | Garden Bay, Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1968/4/26 | 3 years old | 401 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1970/12/5 | 5 years old | 953 days (2 years, 7 months, 9 days) | Mediastinal Abscess |
| Hyak 2 / Tung-Jen | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (A5 pod - Mother believed to be Natsidalia) | M | Garden Bay, Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1968/4/26 | 1 year old (or less) | 290 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1991/2/16 | 23 years old | 8331 days (22 years, 9 months, 21 days) | Pneumonia |
| Kianu / Clyde | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (A5 pod) | F | Garden Bay, Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1968/4/26 | 8 years old | 579 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1980/6 | 20 years old | 4419 days (12 years, 1 month, 6 days) | Gastrointestinal Disease |
| Natsidalia | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (A5 pod) | F | Garden Bay, Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1968/4/26 | 15(+) years old | 579 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1968/11 | 15(+) years old | 189 days (6 months, 6 days) | Heart Failure |
| Orky 2 | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (A5 pod) | M | Garden Bay, Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1968/4/26 | 6 years old | 511 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1988/9/26 | 26 years old | 7458 days (20 years, 5 months) | Acute Bronchopneumonia, Nephropathy |
| Tula | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents | M | Queen Charlotte Strait, Malcolm Island, British Columbia, Canada | 1968/7/18 | 3 years old | 399 | Dolfinarium Harderwijk, Netherlands | 1968/10/23 | 3 years old | 97 days (3 months, 5 days) | Brain Haemorrhage, Fungal Infection of Kidneys |
| Ahab | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Yukon Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Washington State, USA | 1968/10/5 | 8 years old | 579 | US Navy, Hawaii | 1974 | 13 years old | 1914 days (5 years, 2 months, 27 days) | Unknown |
| Cuddles | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (J or L pod) | M | Yukon Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Washington State, USA | 1968/10/5 | 2 years old | 351 | Dudley Zoo, England, United Kingdom | 1974/2/6 | 7 years old | 1950 days (5 years, 4 months, 1 day) | Streptococcal mediastinal abscess, Osteomyelitis of rib |
| Haida | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (J or L pod) | M | Yukon Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Washington State, USA | 1968/10/5 | 4 years old | 427 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1982/10/3 | 17 years old | 5111 days (13 years, 11 months, 28 days) | Lung Infection (Airborne Staphylococcus) |
| Ishmael | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Yukon Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Washington State, USA | 1968/10/5 | 6 years old | 518 | Place of escape: US Navy, Hawaii | 1971/2/19 (date of escape) | 8 years old at time of escape | 867 days (2 years, 4 months, 14 days) | Unknown - Ishmael escaped in February 1971. While it's likely he passed away shortly after his escape there is a possibility that he's still alive, roaming the seas. |
| Mamuk | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (J or L pod) | M | Yukon Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Washington State, USA | 1968/10/5 | 3 years old | 396 | Sea-Arama Marineworld, Texas, USA | 1974/6/14 | 8 years old | 2078 days (5 years, 8 months, 9 days) | Acute Streptococcal Septicemia |
| No name | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | F | Carr Inlet, Washington State, USA | 1969/4 | 5 years old | 457 | Seattle Marine Aquarium, Washington State, USA | Date unknown | Unknown | N/A | Unknown |
| Ramu 2 | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Carr Inlet, Washington State, USA | 1969/4 | 9 years old | 604 | Marineland, Queensland, Australia | 1970/5/21 | 10 years old | 415 days (1 year, 1 month, 20 days) | Unknown |
| Calypso | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents | F | Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1969/12/11 | 6 years old | 518 | Marineland Antibes, France | 1970/12 | 6 years old | 355 days (11 months, 20 days) | Unknown |
| Kenny | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents | M | Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1969/12/11 | 4 years old | 411 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1972/5/20 | 6 years old | 891 days (2 years, 5 months, 9 days) | Pneumonia |
| Nepo | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents | M | Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1969/12/11 | 2 years old | 366 | Marine World Africa, California, USA | 1980/7/10 | 12 years old | 3864 days (10 years, 6 months, 29 days) | Acute Bronchopneumonia, Nephropathy |
| Patches | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents (A5 pod) | F | Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1969/12/11 | Less than 1 year old | 287 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1971/8/4 | 2 years old | 601 days (1 year, 7 months, 24 days) | Mediastinal Abscess and Salmonellosis, an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria |
| Yaka | North Eastern Pacific Northern Residents | F | Pender Harbor, British Columbia, Canada | 1969/12/11 | 1 year old | 320 | Marine World Africa, California, USA | 1997/10/29 | 28 years old | 10,184 days (27 years, 10 months, 18 days) | Pleuritis/Pneumonia From Upper Respiratory Infection |
| No name | Unknown | ? | Carr Inlet, Washington State, USA | 1970/2 | 5 years old | 457? | Seattle Marine Aquarium, Washington State, USA | Date unknown | Unknown | N/A | Unknown |
| Chimo / T4 | North Eastern Pacific Bigg's Transients | F | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1970/3/1 | 2 years old | 351 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1972/11/2 | 4 years old | 977 days (2 years, 8 months, 1 day) | Pneumonia, Streptococcal Septicaemia and Chediak-Higashi-Syndrome |
| Nootka / Knootka / Newtka / T5 | North Eastern Pacific Bigg's Transients | F | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1970/3/1 | 4 years old | 411 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1990/3/13 | 24 years old | 7317 days (20 years, 12 days) | Pyogranulomatous; Pneumonia |
| Scarredjaw Cow / T3 | North Eastern Pacific Bigg's Transients | F | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1970/3/1 | 20 years old | 579 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1970/5/15 | 20 years old | 75 days (2 months, 14 days) | Malnutrition |
| Chappy | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | F | Penn Cove, Whidbey Island, Washington State, USA | 1970/8/8 | 2 years old | 350 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1974/4 | 5 years old | 1332 days (3 years, 7 months, 24 days) | Periostitis (inflammation of the lumbar bone) |
| Clovis | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Penn Cove, Whidbey Island, Washington State, USA | 1970/8/8 | 2 years old | 335 | Marineland Antibes, France | 1973/2 | 4 years old | 908 days (2 years, 5 months, 24 days) | Clostridial Myositis |
| Jumbo | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Penn Cove, Whidbey Island, Washington State, USA | 1970/8/8 | 5 years old | 475 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1974/7 | 8 years old | 1423 days (3 years, 10 months, 23 days) | Liver Dysfunction |
| Lil’ Nooka | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Penn Cove, Whidbey Island, Washington State, USA | 1970/8/8 | 2 years old | 351 | Sea-Arama Marineworld, Texas, USA | 1971/3/18 | 2 years old | 222 days (7 months, 10 days) | Asphyxiation |
| Ramu 4 | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Penn Cove, Whidbey Island, Washington State, USA | 1970/8/8 | 2 years old | 351 | Marineland, Queensland, Australia | 1971/8 | 2 years old | 358 days (11 months, 24 days) | Unknown |
| Wally / Whale | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | F | Port Madison, Bainbridge Island, Washington State, USA | 1970/8/8 | Less than 1 year old | 280 | Munich Aquarium, Germany | 1971/10/4 | 1 year old | 422 days (1 year, 1 month, 26 days) | Heart Failure |
| Winston / Ramu | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents | M | Penn Cove, Whidbey Island, Washington State, USA | 1970/8/8 | 4 years old | 406 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1986/4/28 | 19 years old | 5742 days (15 years, 8 months, 20 days) | Chronic Cardiovascular Failure |
| Kandu 2 | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (L pod) | M | Penn Cove, Washington State, USA | 1971/8 | 3 years old | 396 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1979/10 | 11 years old | 2983 days (8 years, 2 months) | Pneumonia |
| Kandu 3 | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (L pod) | F | Penn Cove, Washington State, USA | 1971/8 | 1 year old | 323 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1975/6/15 | 4 years old | 1414 days (3 years, 10 months, 14 days) | Uraemia-Nephritis |
| Kona | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (L pod) | F | Penn Cove, Washington State, USA | 1971/8 | 4 years old | 434 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1977/9/28 | 10 years old | 2250 days (6 years, 1 month, 27 days) | Septicemia. Also reported as Pulmonary Abscession |
| No name | N/A | M | Carr Inlet, Washington State, USA | 1971/11 | 3 years old | 401 | Seattle Marine Aquarium, Washington State, USA | Date unknown | Unknown | N/A | Unknown |
| No name | N/A | M | Carr Inlet, Washington State, USA | 1971/11 | 4 years old | 411 | Seattle Marine Aquarium, Washington State, USA | Date unknown | Unknown | N/A | Unknown |
| Canuck / J24 | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (J pod) | M | Carr Inlet, Washington State, USA | 1972/3/12 | 2 years old | 353 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1974/12/1 | 4 years old | 994 days (2 years, 8 months, 19 days) | Candidiasis |
| Zero | Japanese | F | Abashiri, Japan | 1972/9/1 | Unknown | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1972/9/15 | Unknown | 14 days | Unknown | |
| Sandy | Unknown | F | Ocean City, Washington State, USA | 1973/3/13 | 6 years old | 488 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1977/10/22 | 10 years old | 1684 days (4 years, 7 months, 9 days) | Cerebral Haemorrhage |
| Frankie | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (L pod) | M | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1973/8 | 12 years old | 594 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1974/1/29 | 12 years old | 181 days (5 months, 28 days) | Pneumonia |
| Kandy | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (L pod) | F | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1973/8 | 14 years old | 540 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1973/11/16 | 14 years old | 107 days (3 months, 15 days) | Acute Pneumonia |
| Nootka 2 | North Eastern Pacific Southern Residents (K pod) | F | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1973/8 | 30 years old | 579 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1974/5/1 | 30 years old | 273 days (9 months) | Ruptured Aorta |
| Nootka 3 | North Eastern Pacific Bigg's Transients | F | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1975/8/16 | 3 years old | 381 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1976/5 | 3 years old | 259 days (8 months, 15 days) | Perforated Post-Pyloric Ulcer. Abscess in Gastrointestinal Tract |
| Kandu 4 / Kanduke / T9 | North Eastern Pacific Bigg’s Transients (T7?) | M | Pedder Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1975/8/16 | 4 years old | 427 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1990/9/20 | 19 years old | 5514 days (15 years, 1 month, 4 days) | Viral Leptomeningitis, an inflammation of the subarachnoid space in the brain |
| Kim / Oum | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Medallands Bugt, Iceland | 1976/10/10 | 5 years old | 450 | Marineland Antibes, France | 1982/7/24 | 10 years old | 2113 days (5 years, 9 months, 14 days) | Lung Abscess |
| Gudrun | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Medallands Bugt, Iceland | 1976/10/28 | Less than 1 year old | 270 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1996/2/25 | 19 years old | 7059 days (19 years, 3 months, 28 days) | Septicemia, Bacteremia associated w/ Endomyometritis |
| Kenau | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Medallands Bugt, Iceland | 1976/10/28 | 1 year old | 300 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1991/8/6 | 15 years old | 5395 days (14 years, 9 months, 9 days) | Hemorrhagic Bacterial Pneumonia |
| No name | Corky 2 Orky 2 | M | Captivity | 1977/2/28 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1977/3/15 | 15 days old | 15 days | Pneumonia, Bowel Stasis and Cerebral Edema | ||
| Miracle | N/A | F | Menzies Bay, British Columbia, Canada | 1977/8/10 | 1 year old | 305 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1982/1/12 | 5 years old | 1616 days (4 years, 5 months, 2 days) | Drowning |
| Kandu 5 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1977/9/30 | 3 years old | 370 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1989/8/21 | 14 years old | 4343 days (11 years, 10 months, 22 days) | Hemorrhage; Maxillary Bilateral Fracture |
| Canuck 2 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1977/10 | 2 years old | 350 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1981/8/2 | 5 years old | 1401 days (3 years, 10 months, 1 day) | Chronic Kidney Disease |
| Hoi Wai / Suzie Wong | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1977/10 | Less than 1 year old | 270 | Ocean Park, Hongkong | 1997/4/21 | 20 years old | 7142 days (19 years, 6 months, 20 days) | Severe Intestinal Blood Loss |
| Kona 2 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1977/10 | 2 years old | 350 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1987/10/15 | 12 years old | 3666 days (10 years, 14 days) | Pulmonary Abscession |
| Magnus | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1977/10 | 1 year old | 326 | Dolfinarium Harderwijk, Netherlands | 1977/12/18 | 1 year old | 78 days (2 months, 17 days) | Agranulocytic Anaemia |
| Winnie | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1977/10 | Less than 1 year old | 275 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 2002/4/11 | 25 years old | 8958 days (24 years, 6 months, 10 days) | GI Tract Obstruction |
| Kahana | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Tvisker, Iceland | 1978/10 | 1 year old | 320 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 1991/5/14 | 13 years old | 4608 days (12 years, 7 months, 13 days) | Broken Skull, Severe Blood Loss and Intestinal Ganglioneuroma (tumor) |
| Kasatka | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Tvisker, Iceland | 1978/10 | 1 year old (or less) | 290 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 2017/8/15 | 39 years old | 14,198 days (38 years, 10 months, 14 days) | Kasatka was humanely euthanised after suffering from a Bacterial Respiratory Infection (likely pneumonia) and a Compromised Immune System for a prolonged period of time. |
| Shawn | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Medallands Bugt, Iceland | 1978/10 | 1 year old (or less) | 290 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1979/9/3 | 1 year old | 337 days (11 months, 2 days) | Pneumonia |
| Kotar | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | South East Iceland | 1978/10/9 | Less than 1 year old | 210* | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 1995/4/1 | 16 years old | 6018 days (16 years, 5 months, 23 days) | Kotar died after a gate he was playing with closed on his head, crushing his skull. Despite this, his cause of death is officially listed as Acute Hemorrhagic Pneumonia. |
| Betty | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Skardsfjara, Iceland | 1978/10/17 | 3 years old | 374 | Marineland Antibes, France | 1987/9/8 | 11 years old | 3248 days (8 years, 10 months, 22 days) | Pneumonia |
| No name | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Skardsfjara, Iceland | 1978/10/17 | 1 year old | 310 | Saedyrasafnid (Hafnarfjordur) Aquarium, Iceland | 1979/1 | 1 year old | 76 days (2 months, 15 days) | Heart Attack |
| Spooky | Corky 2 Orky 2 | M | Captivity | 1978/10/31 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1978/11/10 | 10 days old | 10 days | Pneumonia, Colitis | ||
| No name | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Iceland | 1978/11 | 1 year old | 320 | Saedyrasafnid (Hafnarfjordur) Aquarium, Iceland | 1979/1 | 1 year old | 61 days (2 months) | Pneumonia |
| No name | Japanese | M | Japan | 1978 | Unknown | Taiji Whaling Museum, Japan | 1978 | Unknown | 5 days | Harpoon Wound | |
| Benkei | Japanese | M | Taiji, Japan | 1979/2/26 | 7 years old | 520 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1989/1 | 16 years old | 3597 days (9 years, 10 months, 6 days) | Acute Pneumonia |
| Chi | Japanese | F | Taiji, Japan | 1979/2/26 | 9 years old | 610 | Taiji Whaling Museum, Japan | 1979/5 | 9 years old | 64 days (2 months, 5 days) | Unknown |
| No name | Japanese | F | Taiji, Japan | 1979/2/26 | 9(+) years old | 635 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1979/3/31 | 9(+) years old | 33 days (1 month, 5 days) | Birth Complications. Delivered a stillborn calf. |
| No name | Japanese | F | Taiji, Japan | 1979/2/26 | 9(+) years old | 650 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1979/4/28 | 9(+) years old | 61 days (2 months, 2 days) | Nutritional Disorder |
| Tai | Japanese | M | Taiji, Japan | 1979/2/26 | 9(+) years old | 700 | Taiji Whaling Museum, Japan | 1982/6 | 12(+) years old | 1191 days (3 years, 3 months, 6 days) | Unknown |
| Surfer Girl | N/A | F | Pfeiffer Beach, California, USA | 1979/5/26 | 1 year | Marine World Africa, California, USA | 1979/6/3 | 1 year old | 8 days | Pneumonia. Kidney failure. Perforated Gastric Ulcer | |
| Dzul-ha / Shamu | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Malarrif, Iceland | 1979/7/25 | 1 year old | 300 | Aquarama on Parade, Mexico | 1983 | 4 years old | 1256 days (3 years, 5 months, 7 days) | Unknown |
| Caren / Calen | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1979/11 | 2 years old | 362 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1987/5/4 | 9 years old | 2741 days (7 years, 6 months, 3 days) | Agranulocytosis |
| Keiko | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Medallands Bugt, Iceland | 1979/11 | 2 years old | 365 | Taknes Bay, Skålvikfjord, Norway | 2003/12/12 | 26 years old | 8307 days (22 years, 8 months, 29 days) Calculated from Keiko's capture date to his release date (2002/7/30). | Believed to be Pneumonia |
| King | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Ingólfshöfði, Iceland | 1979/11 | Less than 1 year old | 270 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1983/10/4 | 4 years old | 1433 days (3 years, 11 months, 3 days) | Acute Pneumonia |
| No name | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Medallands Bugt, Iceland | 1979/11 | 3 years old | 370 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1980/1 | 3 years old | 61 days (2 months) | Acute Enterotoxaemia |
| Benkei 2 / Ushiwaka | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Alvidra, Iceland | 1980/10/24 | 1 year old (or less) | 290 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1983/7 | 3 years old | 980 days (2 years, 8 months, 7 days) | Malignant Lymphoma |
| Vigga | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Reydarfjördur, Iceland | 1980/11/10 | 1 year old | 310 | Marine World Africa, California, USA | 2000/8/14 | 20 years old | 7217 days (19 years, 9 months, 4 days) | Heart Failure, Brain/Lung Abscess, Pneumonia |
| Bjossa | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Reydarfjördur, Iceland | 1980/11/14 | 3 years old | 400 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 2001/10/8 | 23 years old | 7633 days (20 years, 10 months, 24 days) | Chronic Bronchopneumonia |
| Finna | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Reydarfjördur, Iceland | 1980/11/14 | 4 years old | 410 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1997/10/6 | 20 years old | 6170 days (16 years, 10 months, 22 days) | Pneumonia |
| Nemo | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Selvogsbanki, Iceland | 1981/10 | 2 years old | 350 | Windsor Safari Park, England, United Kingdom | 1986/11/17 | 7 years old | 1873 days (5 years, 1 month, 16 days) | Thrombocytosis |
| Neptune | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Selvogsbanki, Iceland | 1981/10 | 4 years old | 410 | Clacton Dolphinarium, England, United Kingdom | 1983/6/1 | 5 years old | 608 days (1 year, 8 months) | Appendicitis |
| No name | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Alvidra, Iceland | 1981/10 | 4 years old | 414 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1981 | 4 years old | Unknown | Unknown |
| No name | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Selvogsbanki, Iceland | 1981/10 | Less than 1 year old | 259 | Clacton Dolphinarium, England, United Kingdom | 1981/12/11 | Less than 1 year old | 71 days (2 months, 10 days) | Traumatic Shock. Ruptured Kidney |
| Nootka 5 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Medallands Bugt, Iceland | 1981/10 | 2 years old | 350? | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2008/1/8 | 28 years old | 9595 days (26 years, 3 months, 7 days) | Unknown |
| Ruka / Orca | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Selvogsbanki, Iceland | 1981/10 | 2 years old | 350 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 2000/3/29 | 20 years old | 6754 days (18 years, 5 months, 28 days) | Traumatic Shock |
| Benkei 3 | Japanese | M | Taiji, Japan | 1982/2 | Less than 1 year old | 275? | Private residence, Japan | 1983/12 | 2 years old | 668 days (1 year, 10 months) | Unknown |
| No name | Japanese | M | Taiji, Japan | 1982/2 | 9(+) years old | 700? | Taiji Whaling Museum, Japan | 1982/6/1 | 9(+) years old | 120 days (4 months) | Pneumonia |
| Sacchi | Japanese | F | Taiji, Japan | 1982/2 | 9(+) years old | 600? | Enoshima Marineland, Japan | 1984/4 | 11(+) years old | 790 days (2 years, 2 months) | Pneumonia |
| No name | Sacchi Wild Orca | M | Captivity | 1982/5/1 | Enoshima Marineland, Japan | 1982/5/11 | 10 days old | 10 days | Brain Abscess | ||
| Kiva | Corky 2 Orky 2 | F | Captivity | 1982/6/18 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1982/8/3 | 46 days old | 46 days (1 month, 16 days) | Colic, Respiratory Failure | ||
| Freya | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Stokkseyri, Iceland | 1982/10 | 1 year old | 300? | Marineland Antibes, France | 2015/6/20 | 33 years old | 11,950 days (32 years, 8 months, 19 days) | Undisclosed illness |
| Haida 2 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Stokkseyri, Iceland | 1982/10 | 1 year old (or less) | 290 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 2001/8/1 | 19 years old | 6879 days (18 years, 10 months) | Necrosis of Cerebrum/ Fungal Infection |
| Kim 2 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Stokkseyri, Iceland | 1982/10 | 1 year old (or less) | 290 | Marineland Antibes, France | 2005/11/23 | 23 years old | 8454 days (23 years, 1 month, 22 days) | Pneumonia |
| No name | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Héradsflói, Iceland | 1982/10 | 1 year old | 310 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1983/5/29 | 1 year old | 240 days (7 months, 28 days) | Haemophilia, a genetic disorder that inhibits the body’s ability to control blood clotting when faced with an injury |
| Nootka 4 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Héradsflói, Iceland | 1982/10 | 3 years old | 381 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1994/9/13 | 14 years old | 4365 days (11 years, 11 months, 12 days) | Complications associated with her stillbirth: Pneumonia; Septicemia |
| Tilikum | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Togi, Iceland | 1983/11/9 | 2 years old | 350 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 2017/1/6 | 35 years old | 12,112 days (33 years, 1 month, 28 days) | Bacterial Pneumonia |
| Nandu | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Jökulsá, Iceland | 1983/11/14 | 2 years old | 354 | Aquarama São Paulo, Brazil | 1988/3/2 | 6 years old | 1570 days (4 years, 3 months, 17 days) | Adrenal Gland Tumor |
| Samoa | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Jökulsá, Iceland | 1983/11/14 | 3 years old | 397 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 1992/3/14 | 11 years old | 3043 days (8 years, 4 months) | Mycotic Meningoencephalitis |
| Bingo / Thor | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Reyðarfjörður, Iceland | 1984/11 | 2 years old | 339 | Port of Nagoya Aquarium, Japan | 2014/8/2 | 31 years old | 10,866 days (29 years, 9 months, 1 day) | Pneumonia |
| Freyja / Patty | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Reyðarfjörður, Iceland | 1984/11 | 2 years old | 351 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1987/9/16 | 4 years old | 1049 days (2 years, 10 months, 15 days) | Acute Enteritis |
| Junior | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Berufjörður, Iceland | 1984/11 | 2 years old | 350 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1994/6/1 | 11 years old | 3499 days (9 years, 7 months) | Brain Damage |
| Kandu 7 | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Reyðarfjörður, Iceland | 1984/11 | 6 years old | 490 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2005/12/21 | 27 years old | 7720 days (21 years, 1 month, 20 days) | Cancer |
| No name | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Reyðarfjörður, Iceland | 1984/11 | 4 years old | 409 | Saedyrasafnid (Hafnarfjordur) Aquarium, Iceland | 1985/1 | 4 years old | 61 days (2 months) | Neck Injury |
| No name | Corky 2 Orky 2 | F | Captivity | 1985/7/22 | Marineland of the Pacific, California, USA | 1985/8/20 | 29 days old | 29 days | Asphyxiation | ||
| Milagro | Argentinian mammal-eating population | M | Argentina | 1985/8/8 | 5 years old | Mundo Marino, Buenos Aires, Argentina | 1991/2/10 | 10 years old | 2012 days (5 years, 6 months, 2 days) | Unknown | |
| Kalina | Katina Winston | F | Captivity | 1985/9/26 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 2010/10/4 | 25 years old | 9139 days (25 years, 8 days) | Acute Bacterial Septicemia | ||
| Goro | Japanese | M | Taiji, Japan | 1985/10 | Less than 1 year old | 260 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 2005/1/21 | 19 years old | 7052 days (19 years, 3 months, 20 days) | Acute Pneumonia |
| Nami | Japanese | F | Taiji, Japan | 1985/10 | 3 years old | Port of Nagoya Aquarium, Japan | 2011/1/14 | 28 years old | 9236 days (25 years, 3 months, 13 days) | Ulcerative Colitis - Pulmonary Zygomycosis with Cunninghamella Bertholletiae |
|
| Baby Shamu 2 | Kenau Winston | F | Captivity | 1986/1/5 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 1986/1/16 | 11 days old | 11 days | Heart Defect | ||
| No name | Japanese | F | Japan | 1986/2 | Unknown | Japanese Fishermen Group, Coast of Japan | 1986/4 | Unknown | 59 days (2 months) | Unknown | |
| Shachi | Japanese | F | Taiji, Japan | 1986/2 | 6 years old | Izu-Mito Sea Paradise, Japan | 1988/3 | 8 years old | 759 days (2 years, 1 month) | Pneumonia | |
| Magy / Maggie / Miss Piggy | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Seyðisfjörður, Iceland | 1987/10 | 3 years old | 400 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1997/10/7 | 13 years old | 3659 days (10 years, 6 days) | Birth Complications |
| Oscar / Wolfie | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Seyðisfjörður, Iceland | 1987/10 | 1 year old | 320 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 2012/12/20 | 26 years old | 9212 days (25 years, 2 months, 19 days) | Unknown |
| Prince / Bubba | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Seyðisfjörður, Iceland | 1987/10 | 3 years old | 400 | Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China | 1991/7/10 | 6 years old | 1378 days (3 years, 9 months, 9 days) | Pseudomonas |
| Belen / Bethlehem | Argentinian mammal-eating population | F | Samborombón Bay, Argentina | 1988/1/6 | 1 year old | Mundo Marino, Buenos Aires, Argentina | 2000/2/4 | 13 years old | 4412 days (12 years, 29 days) | Unknown | |
| Katerina | Katina Kanduke | F | Captivity | 1988/11/4 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 1999/5/5 | 10 years old | 3834 days (10 years, 6 months, 1 day) | Severe Suppurative Hemorrhage. Bacterial Pneumonia. | ||
| No name | Bjossa Hyak 2 | F | Captivity | 1988/11/13 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1988/12/4 | 21 days old | 21 days | Malnutrition | ||
| Kayla | Kenau Orky 2 | F | Captivity | 1988/11/26 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 2019/1/28 | 30 years old | 11,020 days (30 years, 2 months, 2 days) | Lung disease - likely Pneumonia | ||
| Taima | Gudrun Kanduke | F | Captivity | 1989/7/11 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 2010/6/6 | 20 years old | 7635 days (20 years, 10 months, 26 days) | Peracute Uterine Prolapse | ||
| Splash / Katak | Nootka 5 Kandu 7 | M | Captivity | 1989/8/15 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 2005/4/5 | 15 years old | 5712 days (15 years, 7 months, 21 days) | Acute Perforating Gastric Ulceration w/ Associated Peritonitis | ||
| Ai | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Hornafjörður, Iceland | 1989/10 | 1 year old | 305 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1995/8/25 | 6 years old | 2154 days (5 years, 10 months, 24 days) | Candidiasis |
| Ran | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Hornafjörður, Iceland | 1989/10 | 2 years old | 335 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 2004/8/29 | 16 years old | 5446 days (14 years, 10 months, 28 days) | Pneumonia, Blood Poisoning and Acute Gastritis. Gave birth to premature calf on 2004/8/26 |
| Sharkan / Sharkane | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | F | Hornafjörður, Iceland | 1989/10 | 4 years old | 427 | Marineland Antibes, France | 2009/1/3 | 23 years old | 7034 days (19 years, 3 months, 2 days) | Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ( Bacille Pyocyanique) |
| Yamato / Tanouk | Icelandic North Atlantic Type 1 | M | Hornafjörður, Iceland | 1989/10 | 3 years old | 396 | Izu-Mito Sea Paradise, Japan | 2000/10/24 | 14 years old | 4041 days (11 years, 23 days) | Unknown |
| K’yosha | Bjossa Hyak 2 | F | Captivity | 1991/9/30 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1992/1/4 | 96 days old | 96 days (3 months, 5 days) | Brain Infection | ||
| No name | Nootka 4 Tilikum | M | Captivity | 1992/2/4 | Sealand of the Pacific, British Columbia, Canada | 1992/3/10 | 35 days old | 35 days (1 month, 6 days) | Infection. Extremely High White Blood Cell Count. | ||
| No name | Kiska Kandu 7 | M | Captivity | 1992/8/24 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1992/10/25 | 62 days old | 62 days (2 months, 1 day) | Drowning | ||
| "Father of Kshamenk" (got the name because he was an adult male, it is not known whether he was Kshamenk's father indeed) | Argentinian mammal-eating population | M | Samborombón Bay, Argentina | 1992/9/17 | Unknown | Mundo Marino, Buenos Aires, Argentina | 1992/9/17 | Unknown | Less than 1 day | Unknown | |
| Neocia / Baby October | Nootka 5 Kandu 7 | F | Captivity | 1992/10/21 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2004/8/1 | 11 years old | 4302 days (11 years, 9 months, 11 days) | Internal Infection | ||
| Taku | Katina Tilikum | M | Captivity | 1993/9/9 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 2007/10/17 | 14 years old | 5151 days (14 years, 1 month, 8 days) | Severe Multifocal Interstitial Pneumonia | ||
| Nyar | Gudrun Tilikum | F | Captivity | 1993/12/31 | SeaWorld Orlando, Florida, USA | 1996/4/1 | 2 years old | 822 days (2 years, 3 months, 1 day) | Suppurative Encephalitis; Osteoarthritis | ||
| Kanuck | Kiska Kandu 7 | M | Captivity | 1994/8/28 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1998 | 3 years old | 1222 days (3 years, 4 months, 4 days) | Traumatic Shock | ||
| No name | Haida 2 Kotar | F | Captivity | 1994/11/20 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 1994/12/28 | 38 days old | 38 days (1 month, 8 days) | Pneumonia Multifocal Pyogranulomatous w/ Gram+Filamentous | ||
| No name | Maggie Bingo | M | Captivity | 1995/3/3 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 1995/3/3 | Hours old | Less than 1 day | Unknown | ||
| No name | Bjossa Finna | F | Captivity | 1995/3/8 | Vancouver Aquarium, Canada | 1995/3/8 | Minutes old | Less than 1 day | Ruptured Umbilical Cord. Died minutes after birth. | ||
| Valentin | Freya Kim 2 | M | Captivity | 1996/2/13 | Marineland Antibes, France | 2015/10/12 | 19 years old | 7181 days (19 years, 7 months, 29 days) | Intestinal Volvulus (twisted intestine) | ||
| Malik / E-Day | Nootka 5 Kandu 7 | F | Captivity | 1996/4/21 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2000/3/4 | 3 years old | 1413 days (3 years, 10 months, 12 days) | Immune System Deficiency | ||
| Nova | Kiska Kandu 7 | M | Captivity | 1996/11/6 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2001/8/20 | 4 years old | 1748 days (4 years, 9 months, 14 days) | Pneumonia. Starvation. | ||
| Unna | Katina Tilikum | F | Captivity | 1996/12/27 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 2015/12/21 | 18 years old | 6933 days (18 years, 11 months, 24 days) | Candida fungus. Systemic Bacterial Infection | ||
| Asuka | Japanese | F | Hatajiri Bay, Taiji, Japan | 1997/2/7 | 7 years old | 550 | Izu-Mito Sea Paradise, Japan | 2007/9/19 | 17 years old | 3876 days (10 years, 7 months, 12 days) | Unknown |
| Ku | Japanese | F | Hatajiri Bay, Taiji, Japan | 1997/2/7 | 5 years old | 455 | Port of Nagoya Aquarium, Japan | 2008/9/19 | 16 years old | 4242 days (11 years, 7 months, 12 days) | Heart Failure |
| Kyu | Japanese | M | Hatajiri Bay, Taiji, Japan | 1997/2/7 | 5 years old | 470 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 2004/9/18 | 12 years old | 2780 days (7 years, 7 months, 11 days) | Bacterial Pneumonia |
| No name | Japanese | M | Hatajiri Bay, Taiji, Japan | 1997/2/7 | 3 years old | 375 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1997/6/14 | 3 years old | 127 days (4 months, 7 days) | Systemic Viral Infection (Herpes Grp) |
| No name | Japanese | F | Hatajiri Bay, Taiji, Japan | 1997/2/7 | 9(+) years old | 630 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 1997/6/17 | 9(+) years old | 130 days (4 months, 10 days) | Bacterial Pneumonia (Bronchopneumonia) |
| Sumar | Taima Tilikum | M | Captivity | 1998/5/14 | SeaWorld San Diego, California, USA | 2010/9/7 | 12 years old | 4499 days (12 years, 3 months, 24 days) | Acute Intestinal / Mesenteric Vol | ||
| No name | Nootka 5 Kandu 7 | F | Captivity | 1998/5/27 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 1998/6/7 | 11 days old | 11 days | Unknown | ||
| Hudson | Kiska Kandu 7 | M | Captivity | 1998/9/15 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2004/10/20 | 6 years old | 2227 days (6 years, 1 month, 5 days) | Meningitis | ||
| Algonquin | Nootka 5 Kandu 7 | M | Captivity | 1999/12/18 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2002/8/13 | 2 years old | 969 days (2 years, 7 months, 26 days) | Twisted Intestine | ||
| Sarah | Stella Bingo | F | Captivity | 2003/5/31 | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 2006/4/26 | 2 years old | 1061 days (2 years, 10 months, 26 days) | Unknown | ||
| No name | Russian Resident | F | Zhirovaya Bay, Avacha Gulf, Kamchatka, Russia | 2003/9/26 | 6 years old | Utrish Dolphinarium, Russia | 2003/10/19 | 6 years old | 23 days | Bacterial Pneumonia. | |
| April | Nootka 5 Kandu 7 | F | Captivity | 2004/4/7 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2004/4/18 | 11 days old | 24 days | Malnutrition | ||
| Athena | Kiska Kandu 7 | F | Captivity | 2004/8/8 | Marineland Ontario, Canada | 2009/5/24 | 4 years old | 1750 days (4 years, 9 months, 16 days) | Unknown | ||
| No name | Ran Kyu | F | Captivity | 2004/8/26 | Nanki Shirahama Adventure World, Japan | 2004/8/28 | 2 days old | 2 days | Broken Skull | ||
| Halyn | Kayla Keet | F | Captivity | 2005/10/9 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 2008/6/15 | 2 years old | 980 days (2 years, 8 months, 6 days) | Acute Necrotizing Encephalitis | ||
| No name | Japanese | M | Katsuura, Chiba, Japan | 2006/2/10 | 3-4 years old | Kamogawa Sea World, Japan | 2006/2/13 | 3-4 years old | 3 days | Unknown | |
| Pascuala | Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) Population(s) | F | Bay of Mantanchén, San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico | 2007/4/10 | Two weeks old | 247 | Vallarta Adventures Dolphin Center, Mexico | 2007/6/10 | 2 months old | 61 days (2 months) | Immune System Failure. Malnutrition. Infection. |
| Victoria / Vicky | Kohana Keto | F | Captivity | 2012/8/3 | Loro Parque, Tenerife, Spain | 2013/6/16 | 10 months old | 317 days (10 months, 13 days) | Intestinal Complications | ||
| Tama Tiger | New Zealand's Population(s) | M | Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand | 2016/8/3 | Six months to 1 year old | Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand | 2016/8/6 | Six months to 1 year old | 3 days | Complications w/ Stranding (Dehydration and Malnutrition) | |
| Kyara | Takara Kyuquot | F | Captivity | 2017/4/19 | SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas, USA | 2017/7/24 | 96 days old | 96 days (3 months, 5 days) | Infection - thought to be Pneumonia | ||
| Kirill (Cyril) | Russian Transient | M | Russia | 2018/8 | 1 year old | Srednyaya Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia | 2019/1/31 (suspected date of death) 2019/2/21 (date his death was reported to Nakhodka Police) | 1 year old | 204 days (6 months, 20 days) | Undisclosed - Frostbite and Pneumonia |
Key notes:
– The information presented in this table was revised in April 2020. Some data displayed previously may have been changed in light of more accurate information.
– This data was compiled from multiple sources including the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Marine Mammal Inventory Reports (MMIRs), marine mammal publications, websites, books, newspaper and news archives, government oversight agencies and marine mammal park documents. Simply click on the hyperlinks to reveal the source.
– Emma Luck (@FlukePrintPhotography / IG) provided a vast array of knowledge to help determine which wild caught orca belonged to which wild population and/or ecotype.
Whales captured in Icelandic waters have been listed as “North Atlantic Type 1” as they closely resemble this ecotype in terms of morphology and ecology – they’re smaller than Type 2s and feed primarily on fish (especially herring) but will also eat the occasional seal. In contrast, Type 2s are massive with noticeably downward-sloping eyepatches, and they’re strict mammal-eaters. However, it’s important to note North Atlantic killer whales are not as well studied as those in the North Eastern Pacific. It’s possible there is more variation and diversity than just two ecotypes (Type 1 and Type 2). It’s also possible that there’s greater diversity in Argentina but not all populations have been adequately studied. Those that have are believed to mammal eaters so this general information has been applied to all orcas captured in the country.
– Estimated age at capture was calculated using “Killer whale growth rate defined by Duffield and Miller” (see below). This was then used to calculate each wild-caught whale’s age at death. In some cases, an orca’s age and length at capture may not correlate to the growth rate as an alternative source was used (all linked).
– Time in captivity was calculated using an online calculator. The end date was not included (otherwise this would’ve added a day) as the whales passed away before the 24-hour mark. Some capture dates and death dates lack an exact day or month due to insufficient historical data. In this case, 01 is used for an unknown day and January is used for an unknown month unless a season is specified, then the first month of the season is used.
– Some notable sources include “Orca – The Whale Called Killer” by Erich Hoyt, “Keto & Tilikum Express the Stress of Orca Captivity” by John S. Jett and Jeffrey M. Ventre, The Orca Project and Cetacean Cousins.
Potential Queries:
– All orcas captured at less than a year old were presumed to be at least six months old at the time for the sake of calculating their age at death. Please be mindful of this.
– Capture date for Ahab was found in a U.S Navy document regarding Project Deep Ops (found here). This date was then applied to the whales he was believed to be captured with (Cuddles, Mamuk, Haida and Ishmael).
– Based on newspaper records, the unnamed male captured in October 1978 was part of a group of three orcas who were the last to be captured that month. Assuming this record of Icelandic captures is listed in date order, the unnamed male was captured with the two largest females – believed to be Betty and Katina – so his capture date has been applied to them too. Using the same record of Icelandic captures, and the dates listed in this newspaper article, I was able to put the five orcas captured in November 1980 into order of capture by using their lengths and then applied the dates listed in the article:
Benkei 2 – 2.9m – Oct 24
Ulises – 4.0m – Nov 7
Vigga – 3.1m – Nov 10
Finna – 4.1m – Nov 14
Bjossa – 4.0m – Nov 14
This suggests Bjossa and Finna were captured on the same day, most likely at the same time, thus Bjossa’s capture location has been applied to Finna.
Killer whale growth rate defined by Duffield and Miller
Length in cm Est. age in years
< 291 < 1
291 – 328 1
329 – 366 2
367 – 404 3
405 – 442 4
443 – 480 5
481 – 518 6
519 – 552 7
553 – 590 8
591 – 628 9
Duffield, D.A. and K.W. Miller, 1988. Demographic Features of Killer Whales in Oceanaria in the United States and Canada, 1965-1987. Rit Fiskideildar. 11: 297-306.
In Pacific whales, growth is approximately linear, at a mean rate of 38 cm/yr up to 10-12 or 12-16 years of age, for females and males, respectively.