Shamu is the name used for several SeaWorld orca (killer whale) shows and is the stage name given to the "star" of those shows, beginning with the original Shamu in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The orca Shamu died in 1971, but the name Shamu was trademarked by SeaWorld (as well as the names "Namu" and "Ramu") and has been given to different orcas at different times when performing in Shamu shows.[1]
In March 2016, SeaWorld announced they are ending their orca breeding programs making their current orcas, "the last generation of orcas in SeaWorld's care." SeaWorld also announced they will be phasing out their theatrical orca whale shows and will introduce, "new, inspiring, natural orca encounters rather than theatrical shows,…[focusing] on orca enrichment, exercise and overall health"[2][3]
The first "Baby Shamu" was named Kalina. She was the first surviving orca born in captivity on September 26, 1985.[citation needed] Ten orca calves had been born in captivity before 1985, but five were stillborn and the others all died within two months of their births.[1] Kalina's parents, Katina and Winston, were bestowed the names Kandu VI (Katina) and Ramu (Winston). The stage name "Grandbaby Shamu" was given to Kalina's first calf, which was born on February 2, 1993 – a male named Keet. The first "Great Grandbaby Shamu" was Keet's first calf, born on December 21, 2004 – a female named Kalia. Kalia gave birth to the first "Great Great Grandbaby Shamu" Amaya, on December 2, 2014. The father is Ulises.
Shamu shows have been presented at the following SeaWorld parks:
The orca performances have been held in SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium(s), which each seat 5,500,[citation needed] and all of the shows have involved a part where one or more whales splash the audience. The San Diego show has usually ended with a hangglider landing at or near the stadium.
Year | Name |
---|---|
1966-1971[citation needed] | Doctor Dolittle |
1971–1974 | Shamu Goes Hollywood |
1974–1975 | Shamu for Mayor |
1975–1977 | Shamu the Yankee Doodle Whale |
1977–1980 | Shamu Goes to College |
1980–1982 | This is Shamu |
1982–1984 | Shamu, Take a Bow |
1984–1986 | Shamu Celebration |
1987 | Shamu's Water Symphony |
1988–1990 | Shamu 25th Anniversary |
1989–1991 | Baby Shamu Celebration |
1992–1995 | Shamu New Visions (Played from 1998–2004 at SeaWorld San Antonio) |
1995–1998 | Shamu: World Focus |
1998–2006 | The Shamu Adventure |
2005–2006 | The Shamu Experience |
2006–2011 | Believe (First show featured in all three parks.) |
2011–2017 (played from 2011-2017 in San Diego) | One Ocean |
Name | Location |
---|---|
House of Douse - before 2007 | San Diego, CA |
Shamu Rocks Texas - before 2007 | San Antonio, TX |
Shamu Rocks - 2007-2014 | Orlando, FL and San Diego, CA |
Shamu's Celebration: Light Up the Night (50th Anniversary Show) - 2014-2016 in San Diego) | Orlando, FL, San Antonio, TX, and San Diego, CA |
SeaWorld Orlando & SeaWorld San Antonio present "Shamu Christmas Miracles" during "SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration", a yearly holiday event. SeaWorld San Diego presented "Shamu's Christmas" from the 2014-2016 season, when "Shamu Christmas Miracles" débuted at the park.
Name | Location | Year |
---|---|---|
Shamu Story | San Antonio, TX & San Diego, CA | 2010 - 2015 (Presented from 2011 in San Diego) |
Killer Whale Story | San Diego, CA | 2015 |
Killer Whales: Education & Conservation | San Diego, CA | 2015 |
Killer Whales: Up Close | San Diego, CA & San Antonio, TX | 2015–Present |
Killer Whales Presentation & All Day Orca Play | San Diego, CA | January 9, 2017–May 26, 2017 |
Ocean Discovery | Orlando, FL | 2016–Present |