Killer whales, more properly known as orcas, have been kept in captivity since 1961, helpless victims of a blatantly commercial experiment which has seen dozens of wild orcas plucked from their families and forced to live in artificial social groupings which bear … In captivity, that lifespan is substantially reduced. While less is known regarding the diet of the false killer whale rare observations suggests that they may also hunt dolphins and possibly baby whales from time to time. Survivorship in marine life parks The company has said, however, that the shape of a killer whale's dorsal fin is not an indicator of its health. ... Factors affecting the lifespan of a whale. Aqua News. If a killer whale survives the first six months, a female's average life expectancy is within the range of 46 to 50 years and a male's is 30 to 38 years. SeaWorld’s Claims About Orca Life Span Just Got Blown To Pieces. Survivorship in marine life parks ... the killer whale is an animal that does that." ! In 2013, the documentary film Blackfish laid bare the psychological toll of captivity, through the story of a wild-caught orca named Tilikum who had killed two trainers at SeaWorld Orlando. If a killer whale survives the first six months, a female's average life expectancy is within the range of 46 to 50 years and a male's is 30 to 38 years. Orcas have attacked humans many times in captivity. Killer whales, more properly known as orcas, have been kept in captivity since 1961, helpless victims of a blatantly commercial experiment which has seen dozens of wild orcas plucked from their families and forced to live in artificial social groupings which bear scant resemblance to their life in the wild. In one example, Kandu V, a female orca at SeaWorld California, bled to death after colliding with another whale in a display of dominance, severing an artery and spouting blood from her blowhole for 45 minutes as … Virgin bans wild captures – Thanks to WDC campaigning, the Virgin Group pledged to make sure its partners who run aquariums no longer take whales and dolphins from the wild. How Long Do Whales Live? However, captivity causes whales to act out against their nature. With continued research, it is likely that differences in longevity will be found in killer whale populations around the world. They're immediately recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white coloring. Virgin bans wild captures – Thanks to WDC campaigning, the Virgin Group pledged to make sure its partners who run aquariums no longer take whales and dolphins from the wild. Living in captivity is a far cry from the orcas' natural world . other humans. 11 Facts Everyone Should Know About Orca Captivity. They only live up to their “killer” nickname in captivity, ... and financial factors at play in the whale captivity industry. A 2015 study finds that captive orcas in the United States live on average of 12 years. This is evident in killer whales’ most vital body part: their teeth. Killer Whales in Captivity Status of Captive Orcas Intelligent, charismatic and curious, the delphinidae family, including orca, is common in many aquariums and animal parks around the world, and between acrobatics and games, they have popularized a successful but controversial form of entertainment. So aggression is common in captivity. Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. Shamu – the original captive killer whale: Shamu was the first orca to survive for an extended period of time in captivity. With continued research, it is likely that differences in longevity will be found in killer whale populations around the world. The killer whale's intelligence, trainability, striking appearance, playfulness in captivity and sheer size have made it a popular exhibit at aquaria and aquatic theme parks. In captivity, there are almost 150 occurrences of attacks on humans, some critical (Human and Killer Whales, 3). Killer Controversy Why orcas should no longer be kept in captivity Introduction Since 1964, when a killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca) was first put on public display1, the image of this black-and-white marine icon has been rehabilitated from fearsome killer to cuddly sea panda. Home Aqua News 5 Arguments For Keeping Captive Cetaceans.