Shamu the Killer Whale at SeaWorld Orlando
- Comments: 20
- Posted on: January 18th, 2009
- Image via Wikipedia
Ted Murphy wrote a post today about visiting SeaWorld in Orlando and it reminded me of my experience meeting the original Shamu!
In 1978 Kent, Sean and I went on an RV trip to California for the month of February. British Columbia can be quite rainy and cold in February and we enjoyed the sun and blue skies of California, staying in different trailer parks along our route and touring many attractions in various cities.
Shamu the killer whale at Sea World was at the top of our ‘must see’ list. He was one of the first whales netted in 1968 around Pender Harbour where I went to school. Local fishermen netted pods of whales in their seine nets, penned them in the harbour and sold them to various aquariums around the world.
It was a huge story at the time but very controversial. TheTyee wrote a great story of the transport of one whale and the many problems encountered along the way. Many locals were extremely jealous of the large amounts of money being paid to the fishermen who were cashing in on this windfall, and others were appalled at the capture of these magnificent mammals. Everyone had an opinion, the community was divided and the animosity among neighbours was rampant. When some of the whales were ‘freed’ by an activist, the fires were fueled even more!
Killer Whales had always been a part of my life as I grew up right on the waterfront and pods of whales traversed our area a number of times a year. We’d hear them blowing and would run outside to watch them pass by, with my Pop lamenting that it was no use going fishing for 2 or 3 days as they were chasing the spring salmon and he would not catch anything. That didn’t matter to me as it was so incredible to see the whales surfacing and blowing, or if we were really lucky they would play and put on quite a show while chasing and eating the salmon.
My Mom and I drove the 30 minutes to Garden Bay to see the whales in the summer of 1968. I was enthralled to see the beautiful whales up close – and I do mean close! They were penned in a small area while being trained and studied by the Vancouver Aquarium and were waiting to be transported by the Aquariums which were buying them. I was too young to be involved in the politics or disputes, but I remember hearing the discussions!
A year after the whales were captured, I visited the Vancouver Aquarium to see the whales perform, with a friend and when the show was over she mentioned to the trainer she was related to the fishermen who caught the whales and that we’d seen them in Pender Harbour right after they’d been netted. The trainer kindly asked if we’d like to go back to the area where the whales were housed. We were able to actually touch them as they came to investigate at the side of the pool. We also were given a handful of stinky fish to feed them. They were so gentle, coming up to us and opening wide waiting for us to drop the fish into their mouths. I still see that moment as though it was this morning – although it’s nearly 40 years ago!
Of course I told Kent and Sean the story when we were making plans to visit SeaWorld in San Diego and we were all excited to see Shamu in his new home, knowing he’d been transported all that way from my hometown. San Diego was a long way from Beautiful British Columbia in those days…
Shamu and his trainers put on a fabulous show, breaching, calling, clicking, spy hopping, pec slapping and lob tailing – splashing us as part of the show which made everyone laugh with glee! I was amazed at the affinity between Shamu and the trainers. Killer whales are so incredibly smart and learn quickly, while teaching us an enormous amount.
Sean still has his ‘Shamu’ stuffed killer whale toy we bought after the show. It’s rather shabby and squishy now, but full of memories of a wonderful family vacation in San Diego.
Ted’s post reminded me of these wonderful memories. I hope to see ‘Shamu’ again one day! BTW – all the whales are called ‘Shamu’ for the Sea World shows, but they do have individual, very unique names.
I took the above picture a few years ago while boating in the Gulf Islands. Yes, we were this close to the pod of Killer Whales.
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I love killer whales I think they are gorgeous. We drove across Australia and at the bottom of, we stopped to watch the whales. They were amazing! Great experience.
ReplyI respect all sea creatures and hate hearing about them being treated meanly
You wrote a beautiful story about these wonderful and mysterious sea creatures that deserve nothing but the best, sharing heart-warming childhood memories that seem to become more and more precious – the further away in time we move from them. Thank you for this, I really enjoyed it!
Replyi’ve seen shamu once. i love killer whales. i think they’re so pretty.
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ReplyThe closest I’ve ever been to a killer whale is when I was little and had one of those huge pool rafts that was shaped like Shamu. lol
They’re so pretty. I went to Sea World in San Diego a few years ago and got to pet a shark! But no killer whales…
ReplyI am amazed by all mammals. I have done “swimming w/the dolphins” before which was very fun. However, afterward I felt a little guilty because I truly believe it’s wrong to capture wild animals and hold them captive. I don’t visit zoos or anything like that. These mammals- whales etc.. are powerful and smart.
ReplyI think it a little sad that now they use the show’s name for the animals–not giving them their own names. Partly because this way it isn’t obvious to the public when one dies. I love the orcas, but the record of injury and death to them and their trainers isn’t particularly good.
ReplyWhat an awesome post. Your recall of your trip is enjoyable. We watched the whales slap their tails when we visited Hawaii. My husband had to drag me away from my spot on a rock. I could have watched for days.
ReplyOhh .. I’ve never seen a killer whale. Must get myself (and family) to Orlando one day!
Reply@Owen (13 comments.):
ReplyThe first weekend of October would be the perfect time to visit SeaWorld with your family – and you could attend IZEAFest too!
@LadyGrace (5 comments.):
ReplyI think they are beautiful too LadyGrace! I know they are very well treated, respected and much loved by their trainers when they are in Aquariums – and millions of people are able to appreciate their magnificence in this way.
@daria369 (15 comments.):
ReplyThank you so much for your lovely comment Daria. I’m glad you enjoyed my story
@cady (19 comments.):
ReplyHey Cady, the more I see killer whales the more I love them! They are incredibly smart
@Sadie (20 comments.):
ReplySadie – are you NUTS???? You don’t PET sharks – LOL!!! Don’t they have amazing sand papery skin though?
@Maureen (12 comments.):
ReplyI’ve never swam with the dolphins Maureen – it must be an amazing experience. I have gone scuba diving in Maui and listened to the grey whales and killer whales calling and clicking underwater though. They are miles away usually, but it sounds like they’re right behind you!
@Karen (6 comments.):
ReplyKaren, I know what you mean! When we see the killer whales in the wild I want to stay to watch them forever.
@vein (1 comments.):
ReplyYou are so right Vein. The orcas are wild animals no matter how ‘trained’ they appear… and need to be treated with respect.
Wow! That is such a neat story! I love Sea World in San Diego so much!
ReplySome pass through Puget Sound on their way North almost yearly. About four years ago they were in the bay in Silverdale. People were stooped along side the road to watch. They are beautiful.
ReplyI’ve never seen a killer whales in the flesh.. I hope I will someday..
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Reply@RealShamu Shamu I feel a great affitity T U as we were both born on the West Coast: Pls read my/YOUR story http://bit.ly/H0wHw
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