Sealand of the Pacific
Encyclopedia
Sealand of the Pacific was a public aquarium
in Oak Bay
, a suburb near the city of Victoria
, in British Columbia
, Canada
. It was famous for its orca
s, which were the main attraction.
The aquarium first became notable as the home of the famous and much-loved orca, Haida (captured in 1968 ). When the aquarium decided to capture a mate for him, Sealand became famous. This was because the young female whale that was captured, named Chimo
, was a partial albino. Her striking white colouring had never been seen in captivity, and she quickly became one of the most famous captive whales anywhere. She died in 1972, a little over 2 years after her capture; the disease which caused her albinism, Chediak-Higashi syndrome
, made her very susceptible to illness. Haida mourned her death, and remained alone for years. Eventually, Sealand captured a female whale named Nootka II for his mate. Nootka II, however, died after 9 months. His third mate, Nootka III, was also short-lived. By the time of the death of his third mate, Haida displayed no interest in them.
Sealand became famous again in 1977, when they became home to Miracle. Miracle was a baby orca found alone, shot, starved and sick. She was captured and moved to Sealand, where she was nursed back to health. Miracle became a star attraction, but was kept in a separate pen from Haida. Several years later her companion in the pen, a seal named Shadow, drowned in the nets forming the pen. While concerns were raised over the safety of the nets, no action was taken. The concerns were well founded; eventually Miracle became entangled and drowned.
As anti-captivity
protest
s began to put pressure on aquaria, Sealand agreed to release Haida. Unexpectedly, Haida died a few days before the scheduled release in October 1982. His release had been part of a bargain for the aquarium to acquire new whales, and with the death of Haida, Sealand became free from the deal. Many people were outraged by the plan of capturing more whales, and staked a protest at the supposed capture site. Sealand, however, quietly managed to obtain three whales captured from Iceland
.
The three new orcas, Tilikum
, Nootka IV, and Haida II, never had good dynamics together, and indeed, the male Tilikum was often chased into the medical pen by the two females. The whales never had trainers in the water with them, after trainers noted aggressive tendencies and several near-accidents occurred.
Sealand of the Pacific closed down operations shortly after the incident, and the three whales were sold to SeaWorld
. Tilikum and Nootka IV went to SeaWorld Orlando
, while Haida II and her baby Kyuquot
went to SeaWorld San Antonio
. As of February 2010, only Tilikum and Kyuquot were alive.
Tillikum has been involved in two further deaths at SeaWorld Orlando, including one as recently as February 24th, 2010.
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
in Oak Bay
Oak Bay, British Columbia
Oak Bay is a municipality located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian Province of British Columbia, Canada. A member municipality of the Capital Regional District, it is a community east of and adjacent to the City of Victoria...
, a suburb near the city of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was famous for its orca
Orca
The killer whale , commonly referred to as the orca, and less commonly as the blackfish, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas...
s, which were the main attraction.
The aquarium first became notable as the home of the famous and much-loved orca, Haida (captured in 1968 ). When the aquarium decided to capture a mate for him, Sealand became famous. This was because the young female whale that was captured, named Chimo
Chimo (killer whale)
Chimo , was a young female orca exhibited in Sealand of the Pacific from 1970 to 1972, Chimo was notable for being the only partially albino orca ever exhibited in captivity. Years before her capture, another pure white orca was spotted in what is suspected to be the same pod, this orca was named...
, was a partial albino. Her striking white colouring had never been seen in captivity, and she quickly became one of the most famous captive whales anywhere. She died in 1972, a little over 2 years after her capture; the disease which caused her albinism, Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Chédiak-Higashi syndrome
Chédiak–Higashi syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that arises from a microtubule polymerization defect which leads to a decrease in phagocytosis. The decrease in phagocytosis results in recurrent pyogenic infections, partial albinism and peripheral neuropathy...
, made her very susceptible to illness. Haida mourned her death, and remained alone for years. Eventually, Sealand captured a female whale named Nootka II for his mate. Nootka II, however, died after 9 months. His third mate, Nootka III, was also short-lived. By the time of the death of his third mate, Haida displayed no interest in them.
Sealand became famous again in 1977, when they became home to Miracle. Miracle was a baby orca found alone, shot, starved and sick. She was captured and moved to Sealand, where she was nursed back to health. Miracle became a star attraction, but was kept in a separate pen from Haida. Several years later her companion in the pen, a seal named Shadow, drowned in the nets forming the pen. While concerns were raised over the safety of the nets, no action was taken. The concerns were well founded; eventually Miracle became entangled and drowned.
As anti-captivity
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
protest
Protest
A protest is an expression of objection, by words or by actions, to particular events, policies or situations. Protests can take many different forms, from individual statements to mass demonstrations...
s began to put pressure on aquaria, Sealand agreed to release Haida. Unexpectedly, Haida died a few days before the scheduled release in October 1982. His release had been part of a bargain for the aquarium to acquire new whales, and with the death of Haida, Sealand became free from the deal. Many people were outraged by the plan of capturing more whales, and staked a protest at the supposed capture site. Sealand, however, quietly managed to obtain three whales captured from Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
The three new orcas, Tilikum
Tilikum (orca)
Tilikum , sometimes misspelled Tillikum, is a bull orca who lives in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando. He has sired many offspring, and has been involved in the deaths of three people. Following a year long hiatus after his last incident, Tilikum returned to performing at SeaWorld Orlando on 30 March...
, Nootka IV, and Haida II, never had good dynamics together, and indeed, the male Tilikum was often chased into the medical pen by the two females. The whales never had trainers in the water with them, after trainers noted aggressive tendencies and several near-accidents occurred.
1991 accident
On 20 February 1991, Keltie Byrne, a 20-year-old student and part-time orca trainer, slipped and fell into the whale pool after a show. The three orcas dragged and repeatedly submerged her until she drowned, despite other trainers' efforts to rescue her. The poor relations between the whales, unfamiliarity with trainers in the water, and the pregnancy of at least one of the females (Haida II) were cited as possible causes.Sealand of the Pacific closed down operations shortly after the incident, and the three whales were sold to SeaWorld
SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a United States chain of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and animal theme parks owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The parks feature captive orca, sea lion, and dolphin shows and zoological displays featuring various other marine animals. There are operations in Orlando,...
. Tilikum and Nootka IV went to SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park, and marine-life based zoological park, near Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group...
, while Haida II and her baby Kyuquot
Kyuquot
Kyuquot, meaning "people of Kayukw" in the Nuu-chah-nulth language, may refer to:* Kyuquot, British Columbia, an unincorporated settlement on northwestern Vancouver Island, British Columbia...
went to SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park, located in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio, Texas. It is the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld chain owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group, and the world's...
. As of February 2010, only Tilikum and Kyuquot were alive.
Tillikum has been involved in two further deaths at SeaWorld Orlando, including one as recently as February 24th, 2010.
Orcas Kept At Sealand
- Haida
- ChimoChimo (killer whale)Chimo , was a young female orca exhibited in Sealand of the Pacific from 1970 to 1972, Chimo was notable for being the only partially albino orca ever exhibited in captivity. Years before her capture, another pure white orca was spotted in what is suspected to be the same pod, this orca was named...
: An albino orca. She was captured in March of 1970 and died in 1972. - Knootka/Nootka: An orca captured alongside Chimo in March of 1970. She lived at Sealand until the twenty-fifth of that month, when she was moved to the Japanese Deer Park in California. Then, from 1971 to 1972, Knootka was residing at a Texan park named "Seven Seas Texas." She would go on to live at Marineland Canada until 1986, where she spen the final four years of her life in SeaWorld San DiegoSeaWorld San DiegoSeaWorld San Diego is an animal theme park, oceanarium, and marine mammal park, located in San Diego, California, United States. The park is owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group....
. She died on March 13, 1990. - Nootka II
- Nootka III
- Miracle
- Haida II: Died on August 1, 2001.
- Nootka IV: Died on September 13, 1994.
- TilikumTilikum (orca)Tilikum , sometimes misspelled Tillikum, is a bull orca who lives in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando. He has sired many offspring, and has been involved in the deaths of three people. Following a year long hiatus after his last incident, Tilikum returned to performing at SeaWorld Orlando on 30 March...
- Kyuquot: The first offspring of Tilikum. He currently lives at SeaWorld Texas.
- Nootka IV's calf: The calf was born on February 4, 1992, and died March 10, 1992.