Mundo Marino
Encyclopedia
Mundo Marino is the largest aquarium in South America. It is in San Clemente del Tuyú
, Argentina
.
Kshamenk, also known as Sharmenk or Shamenk, is a male orca, or killer whale, held at Mundo Marino. Kshamenk is estimated to have been around 4 years old when captured in 1992. He has been without the company of other orcas since 2000, when Mundo Marino's female killer whale, Belén (also known as Bethlehem), died.
Mundo Marino claims to have rescued him after he stranded, and kept him for public display when its staff determined he could not be released. However, Kshamenk may have been force-stranded (driven ashore on purpose) and retained to circumvent Argentine laws against the commercial capture of wild marine mammals.
Six Flags Marine World park in Vallejo, California, owns one female orca, Shouka, and has been trying to acquire Kshamenk from Mundo Marino as a companion for Shouka. But Mundo Marino does not own Kshamenk. The orca is legally being held in trust by Mundo Marino for the people of Argentina. This means that Mundo Marino cannot sell Kshamenk because the orca isn't its property. Furthermore, Argentine Law forbids the export of live native wildlife, including orcas.
San Clemente del Tuyú
San Clemente del Tuyú is an Argentine town in the Partido de la Costa district of the Province of Buenos Aires.-History:Noticed by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, who gave nearby Cape San Antonio its name, Spanish authorities first surveyed the area in 1580...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Attractions
- Show de Orca: The trainers of Kshamenk demonstrate how he can understand and communicate with games, rewards and mimicry.
- Bahía de Lobos: Buy fish and feed the sea lions and learn about their lives and habitats.
- Show de Lobos Marinos: Enjoy the “Hotel Cinco Estrellas” comedy show where sea lions, elephant seals and other marine life attend to the guests at this imaginary hotel.
- Anfiteatro del Lago: Pirate Island is a new show in which news of a shipwreck with a hidden treasure excites the residents of Puerto Cayman who embark on a treasure hunt competing against the pirate ship led by Captain Barraacuda.
- Imagen Show: Enjoy the multi vision Legacy of Nature on the 18 meter screen and learn about the scientific research, care and feeding of the marine wildlife at Mundo Marino.
- Estadio del Mar: Dolphins compete among themselves to amuse and thrill the spectators.
- Teatro Sorpresa: "Los Canta cuentos de Pinguy y Orky," Pinguy and Orky and their friends Albatross, Medusa and a messenger dove present children's stories, songs and dances.
- Encuentro Submarino: View the dolphins through a huge window port.
- Tren de Paseo: Take the "La Tronchita" train through the park.
- Lago Paraíso: View numerous birds, fish and flowers in this natural lake and waterfall area.
- Albergue de Pingüinos: This penguin shelter houses Emperor penguins who came ashore to die but were rescued, cleaned and rehabilitated. Guides explain the efforts of the Centro de Rescate y Rehabilitación Provincial.
Mundo Marino's orca
Mundo Marino claims to have rescued him after he stranded, and kept him for public display when its staff determined he could not be released. However, Kshamenk may have been force-stranded (driven ashore on purpose) and retained to circumvent Argentine laws against the commercial capture of wild marine mammals.
Six Flags Marine World park in Vallejo, California, owns one female orca, Shouka, and has been trying to acquire Kshamenk from Mundo Marino as a companion for Shouka. But Mundo Marino does not own Kshamenk. The orca is legally being held in trust by Mundo Marino for the people of Argentina. This means that Mundo Marino cannot sell Kshamenk because the orca isn't its property. Furthermore, Argentine Law forbids the export of live native wildlife, including orcas.