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NEWS
Last captive orca born at SeaWorld
POSTED 21 Apr 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The yet-to-be-named calf, born at SeaWorld San Antonio, is the offspring of 25-year-old Takara Credit: SeaWorld
Just over a year after SeaWorld announced plans to end its controversial orca breeding plan, the company’s last killer whale has been born in its captivity.

The last generation of orcas under SeaWorld’s care, the company now has a total of 23 killer whales across its parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando.

The yet-to-be-named calf, born at SeaWorld San Antonio, is the offspring of 25-year-old Takara, who was pregnant before SeaWorld chose to end its orca breeding practices.

“With this being the last killer whale birth at a SeaWorld park, this is the last opportunity for researchers to study orca development in ways that cannot be done in the wild, helping to conserve this amazing species,” said a statement from SeaWorld.

“Information learned from Takara and her calf will add to SeaWorld’s extensive database about killer whales and their calves, which contribute directly to conservation efforts for populations, like the southern resident killer whales that are threatened by pollution, overfishing and human development.”

Currently in a phase of transition under CEO Joel Manby as it tries to transform its image, SeaWorld struggled in 2016, with revenues and attendance both down on the previous year’s figures.

SeaWorld blamed attendance declines on Hurricane Matthew, which temporarily closed its Florida attractions in October, also blaming “softness” in the Latin America market, which traditionally is a big draw for the operator.

The operator also had to endure the death of infamous orca Tilikum, who died in January this year and was featured in the 2013 anti SeaWorld documentary Blackfish, which has been at the root of the company’s ongoing struggles.
RELATED STORIES
  Zhonghong Group snaps up Blackstone’s shares in SeaWorld with plans to bring brand to China


SeaWorld Entertainments biggest shareholder, Blackstone, is selling its 21 per cent stake in the theme park operator to a Chinese investors Zhonghong Zhuoye Group.
  Joel Manby says financial discipline 'a top priority' as SeaWorld aims to cut US$40m from budget by 2018


SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby has said that financial discipline remains a top priority for the operator, after end of year results saw both revenue and attendance decline on 2015 figures.
  Tough year for SeaWorld as operator reports lacklustre figures


SeaWorld has submitted its end of year results, with revenues and attendance both down on 2015 as the company continues to try and transform its image, putting “fun but meaningful” at the forefront of its PR campaign.
  SeaWorld’s Tilikum dies as controversial orca shows laid to rest


Just days since SeaWorld San Diego announced its final orca show would be on 8 January, the marine park brand’s most famous animal, Tilikum, has died.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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NEWS
Last captive orca born at SeaWorld
POSTED 21 Apr 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The yet-to-be-named calf, born at SeaWorld San Antonio, is the offspring of 25-year-old Takara Credit: SeaWorld
Just over a year after SeaWorld announced plans to end its controversial orca breeding plan, the company’s last killer whale has been born in its captivity.

The last generation of orcas under SeaWorld’s care, the company now has a total of 23 killer whales across its parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando.

The yet-to-be-named calf, born at SeaWorld San Antonio, is the offspring of 25-year-old Takara, who was pregnant before SeaWorld chose to end its orca breeding practices.

“With this being the last killer whale birth at a SeaWorld park, this is the last opportunity for researchers to study orca development in ways that cannot be done in the wild, helping to conserve this amazing species,” said a statement from SeaWorld.

“Information learned from Takara and her calf will add to SeaWorld’s extensive database about killer whales and their calves, which contribute directly to conservation efforts for populations, like the southern resident killer whales that are threatened by pollution, overfishing and human development.”

Currently in a phase of transition under CEO Joel Manby as it tries to transform its image, SeaWorld struggled in 2016, with revenues and attendance both down on the previous year’s figures.

SeaWorld blamed attendance declines on Hurricane Matthew, which temporarily closed its Florida attractions in October, also blaming “softness” in the Latin America market, which traditionally is a big draw for the operator.

The operator also had to endure the death of infamous orca Tilikum, who died in January this year and was featured in the 2013 anti SeaWorld documentary Blackfish, which has been at the root of the company’s ongoing struggles.
RELATED STORIES
Zhonghong Group snaps up Blackstone’s shares in SeaWorld with plans to bring brand to China


SeaWorld Entertainments biggest shareholder, Blackstone, is selling its 21 per cent stake in the theme park operator to a Chinese investors Zhonghong Zhuoye Group.
Joel Manby says financial discipline 'a top priority' as SeaWorld aims to cut US$40m from budget by 2018


SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby has said that financial discipline remains a top priority for the operator, after end of year results saw both revenue and attendance decline on 2015 figures.
Tough year for SeaWorld as operator reports lacklustre figures


SeaWorld has submitted its end of year results, with revenues and attendance both down on 2015 as the company continues to try and transform its image, putting “fun but meaningful” at the forefront of its PR campaign.
SeaWorld’s Tilikum dies as controversial orca shows laid to rest


Just days since SeaWorld San Diego announced its final orca show would be on 8 January, the marine park brand’s most famous animal, Tilikum, has died.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
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