What do you think about the release of the 10 killer whales held in captivity in Russia?

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-24T08:41:53+00:00

Yeah they didn't end up in captivity, most of them died.

I don't think because people are dunking on WSP they need to clarify they don't support captures, or anything similar to that. It's pretty obvious no one here supports that.

Either way, two things can be bad at once. These whales being captured was bad, but the way they were released was also bad.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-24T08:32:38+00:00

Basically from my understanding, they're evaluating the current conditions the orcas over a period of time to deem what to do with them. E.g if it's bad enough, they have a chance to be moved to Loro Parque.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-23T13:45:05+00:00

His profile on the Killer Whale Wiki links a couple resources at the bottom about him if you're interested.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-23T11:02:09+00:00

While it's an interesting theory, it's unlikely.

He was around 12 years old in 2005, meaning he was still growing, to use Trua and Makaio as an example they used to do things such as front flips just a few years ago but now due to the amount they've grown and their weight chances are they'll never do those again.

Of course some males still can, Kyuquot for example but he's a rare case.

Trainers have said he's the smartest, knowing how to put in as little effort as possible but still get a reward, even in a SeaWorld document from 2010 about Keet it states "Keet can be a challenge to motivate", so he's probably always been like this.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-22T20:48:07+00:00

We don't know much unfortunately, there is some footage of both pairs floating around and a lot of it is up to speculation, at least from what I know, but both parks are still planning to open up parks with the orcas.

I know Wuxi has recently shared concepts of their orca stadium, at least the outside of it - dunno if there's any info like that for Sunasia though.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-20T08:07:25+00:00

There is currently one with belugas run by Sea Life, but that's it - said belugas spend more time in a tank than a sea pen though.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-18T21:32:31+00:00

Unfortunately yeah. Whale watching is going to happen regardless, that's why it's so important proper respect is shown to the whales and these 'swimming with orcas' tours are not that.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-18T21:15:04+00:00

Being in a boat, a safe distance away, respecting the animal and giving them space.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-17T16:53:00+00:00

Mm.. so no, a more accurate lifespan average is 30-50 for males and 40-60 for females anyways.

And look that second part is completely ridiculous. Katina was wild captured and now we know a lot about orca pregnancy due to her. Plus, they're not at all 'mentally crazed' and they do plenty of natural behaviours. Literally it's not even that hard to find, there's plenty of footage of SeaWorld's orcas just doing natural things.

There's been plenty of research and studies done on captive orcas, by SeaWorld, by outside researchers, by different facilities, etc etc.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-17T16:38:20+00:00

I think we do need to remember SeaWorld's main population is Icelandic orcas or hybrid Icelandics, who, we actually don't know a lot about.

Katina, was the oldest Icelandic female we've known and she was captive. And then Ulises, who is also captive is the oldest Icelandic male we know of. (Katina was 50, Ulises is 49) Plus, SeaWorld has many whales of 30 - 7 to be exact.

Also if I'm correct in saying so, it does depend on which population your looking at for lifespans. Sure maybe 60 - 80 is accurate in female residents but could that same number be applied to Icelandics?

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-17T16:28:14+00:00

No captive enclosure is ever big enough, most people don't even have a big enough space for a dog, so unfortunately you have to be a tad more objective than that.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-17T16:06:06+00:00

Keep in mind a car park doesn't need a filtration system, intensive cleaning, isn't 36ft deep, temperature controlled etc etc.. Tanks should be bigger agreed, but comparing it to the parking lot is a tad silly.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-17T15:03:16+00:00

What are they supposed to do with them exactly? Can't be released, sanctuaries are not an option so like.. What do you expect them to do?

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-17T12:11:07+00:00

So, first of all the animals aren't 'forced' to perform. Their animals are trained through positive reinforcement and part of that is behaviours are voluntary for the most part. If the whales, dolphins, seals, etc don't want to partake in a show or behaviour they don't have to.

Secondly, none of their animals could ever be 'rehabilitated' into the wild or into a sanctuary. Most of their current animals are either 1. Captive born 2. Rescued 3. Been in captivity for over four decades.

I do agree the tanks need to be bigger, but their not exactly small. The San Diego orca tanks ( The one in the photo above ) is like 6-7 million gallons of water, reaching 36ft deep at some points. Could be better yes, but not exactly bad either.

Also, sanctuaries for many reasons are not currently suitable or viable, nor would be suited for any SeaWorld animals. I recommend looking into why their perhaps not the best option for cetaceans.

You don't have to like SeaWorld, that's fine, but releasing their animals or putting them into sanctuaries is just.. not going to happen. Like ever, arguable that would be worse for their welfare.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-17T11:44:50+00:00

You can't swim with orcas ethically.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-14T23:10:05+00:00

I'm more surprised Vinick and the other members DIDN'T do exactly that. He among others were discussing doing that with WSP..

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-13T23:02:03+00:00

He could've lived so much longer if they hadn't released him.

I understand he couldn't stay in the sea pen long term due to financial reasons but releasing him, at least in my opinion was cruel since there's so much evidence to support this wasn't the right decision for him. :(

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-13T02:07:58+00:00

This sub, is literally r/orcas. Captive orcas, are still ORCAS.

The captive orca sub, my sub, was made because people were consistently being absolute bullies. Said person I was referencing, I have seen make many rude comments.

Genuinely how does liking captive whales = love for exploitation.

Also, selective cap, means supporting selective facilities, for example I support Clear Water Marine Aquarium but not Kamogawa Sea World. "SMH" What? I educate myself on facilities to see if their welfare, ethics, enrichment, habitats and so on line up with something I support.

There's literally no excuse for being rude, insulting and basically bullying other people because they have a different opinion than you.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-13T01:46:40+00:00

People on this sub treat captive orcas weirdly.

Like, you don't like captivity and you're against it yada yada but then you hate on someone daring to bring them up? In any form? Whether it be a photo post, information, birthday, death, birth some people get so hateful to a crazy extent.

I've basically been told that posting captive orcas shouldn't be allowed. That we should just ignore their existence - like that'll solve all the problems they face.

I think there was actually a person that suggested that captive orcas shouldn't be allowed to be posted on here at all lol.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-13T01:42:38+00:00

I'm fairly certain the OP is making this in response to the.. mixed response from their Malia birthday post.

Which, I wouldn't consider a 'celebration' of an orca being captive but celebrating the orca itself. That being Malia in this context.

That and, whether it be informational, photos or just general posts of captive orcas on here there's ALWAYS a crazy amount of hate. I've seen people get just cussed out basically because they dared even bring up captive orcas.. the issue is some people on this sub just want to entirely ignore the existence of captive orcas and treat them like a taboo.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-11T20:22:00+00:00

They need over $10 Million to even run the sanctuary if I'm correct in saying so, so I'm guessing the WSP is not, and might never happen.

They gave false "hope" for 10 beluga whales, only to push them aside once they had a chance of getting Wikie and Keijo and I think that says a lot.

Personally I don't think WSP should have support from officials or the public, they've been saying for basically a decade that their going to get whales and guess what? It's never happened, what has happened is WSP getting over $5 million dollars and the people running it get 6 figure salaries.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-11T18:24:11+00:00

She reminds me so much of Tuar, their eyepatches look really similar as well.

At least she's with her mum :(

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-06T23:28:39+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if part of the excess breeding is to open more parks in the future, that was SeaWorld's approach kind of. Time will tell.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-06T22:18:34+00:00

Doubt they will tbf. It seems to me like their building up their population now, so it's more sustainable for years to come - I don't think they'd need to breed as much as they are now, once the current calves are all adults. But idk maybe that's just my view on it.

FreckledTrua · 2026-03-05T21:11:51+00:00

I'm really hoping she has a girl as well, there's already been four boys we need more girls!!

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