Shamu
Shamu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age |
| Died | August 16, 1971 (aged 10) |
| Occupation | Orca held in captivity |
| Known for | Being the fourth orca captured and second female held in captivity; SeaWorld attraction |
Shamu (– August 16, 1971) was a female orca taken from a southern resident group in October 1965. Purchased by SeaWorld San Diego, she became a prominent attraction and was the fourth orca ever captured, as well as the second female to be held in captivity. Shamu passed away in August 1971 after approximately six years in human care. The name "Shamu" was later adopted as a trademark for the SeaWorld "Shamu" performances at multiple parks.
Early life
Estimated to have been born around 1961, Shamu represented the first deliberate live capture of a healthy orca, differing from earlier incidental captures such as (Wanda, Moby Doll, and Namu). She measured roughly and . Captured by Ted Griffin near Penn Cove, Puget Sound, Washington in October 1965, she was intended to accompany the male orca Namu at Griffin's public aquarium in Seattle. Her name translates to "Friend of Namu" or "She-Namu." The capture occurred after her mother was killed by harpooning. In December 1965, Shamu was sold to SeaWorld San Diego.
Captivity
Following an incident on April 19, 1971, Shamu was retired. During a promotional event, she bit SeaWorld employee Annette Eckis, who had been asked to ride her. Shamu held Eckis until staff used a pole to force the orca’s jaws apart. Eckis suffered between 18 and 20 injuries requiring 100 to 200 stitches, resulting in lasting scars and a five-day hospital stay. Psychological trauma was also reported. Eckis had been directed to wear a bikini, unaware that Shamu had previously attacked individuals dressed similarly and was trained only to perform with trainers clad in wetsuits. Prior to the event, Shamu had exhibited signs of unpredictable behavior.
Shamu died approximately four months later, on August 16, 1971.