Disclaimer: These photos do not belong to the owner of this website but were kindly submitted by photographers. Some photos may be PR images produced by marine parks and aquariums. In all cases appropriate credit is given. Photos with multiple whales include identification which is listed from left to right (according to eye patch) unless stated otherwise.
You may repost these photos as long as you credit the photographer and refer back to this website.
Please contact me at inherentlywild@gmail.com if you wish to add to this gallery.
| In October and November of 1978 a large number of killer whales were captured in Icelandic waters. The animals were moved to a holding facility at Saedyrasafnid Aquarium. Some of them were quickly transported to marine parks like Katina, Kasatka, Kahana, Kotar, Betty and Shawn. Five whales stayed behind. Originally sold to Kamogawa Sea World, the transfer got delayed for unknown reasons. Two orcas, a male and a female, died in February 1979 after a period of severe weather caused damages to the water circulation system in the pool, causing the pair to subsequently fall ill. The three surviving killer whales were released after the incident on February 12th and the facility was renovated. Sources: “Orca – The Whale Called Killer” by Erich Hoyt and The Icelandic live-capture fishery for killer whales, 1976-1988 by Johann Sigurjonsson and Stephen Leatherwood. |
Photos provided by HaH and Cetacean Cousins
The three released whales
Photo by Timarit.is (provided by Sara Farrell).
Photo provided by Sara Farrell.
Photo provided by Katerina Studios.
Photos provided by Sara Farrell.