When did SeaWorld stop using Shamu?

The original Shamu was caught in 1965, and died after six years performing at SeaWorld San Diego. After trademarking the name, SeaWorld kept promoting Shamu and Shamu performances with “baby Shamus” until 2016, when they announced their plans to end their orca breeding program.



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In an attempt to save face—and after California refused to allow it to build new orca tanks, SeaWorld agreed to stop breeding the animals. It began to distance itself from the controversy by moving away from using the “Shamu” name.

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Shamu was the stage name used for several captive performing orcas at SeaWorld as part of their theatrical Shamu show beginning in 1960s. The original Shamu died in 1971, but the name was trademarked by SeaWorld, and has been given to different orcas over the years. The Shamu show at SeaWorld San Diego in 2009.

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Currently, SeaWorld houses 19 killer whales in its three parks.
  • Eight killer whales live at SeaWorld San Diego: Corky, Ulises, Orkid, Ikaika, Kalia, Keet, Shouka, and Makani.
  • Five killer whales live at SeaWorld Orlando: Makaio, Malia, Trua, Katina, and Nalani.


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SeaWorld has also decided to discontinue its theatrical orca shows. They instead use orcas for presentations known as “Orca Encounter” rather than having them perform as in the past. As of 2023, there are just 55 captive orcas in parks across the globe.

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SeaWorld deprived Shamu of food to make her learn useless tricks and forced her to perform for audiences for years. In 1971, at just 9 years old, Shamu died at SeaWorld from a uterine infection and blood poisoning. In the ocean, she could have lived for up to 80 years.

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Sea World performs a necropsy to determine/ confirm the cause of death. The body is disposed of IAW State Laws and zoological best practices. Skeletons are often donated to scientific programs and museums so the animal can continue to contribute to knowledge and education even after death.

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“Most of our orcas were born at SeaWorld, and those that were born in the wild have been in our parks for the majority of their lives,” he wrote. “If we release them into the ocean, they will likely die. In fact, no orca or dolphin born under human care has ever survived release into the wild.

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After six years in captivity, Shamu died. Before her death, she seriously injured several people, including Anne Eckis, a SeaWorld employee, who she bit during a live recorded performance. Shamu had reportedly shown signs of erratic behavior before the incident. After her death, Shamu's name lived on.

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The study reports that the average life expectancy for SeaWorld's orca is 41.6 years of age, as compared to studies of two wild whale populations, reported as 29.0 and 42.3 years of age respectively.

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This is the last generation of orcas in our care SeaWorld's killer whales are vital to that mission, and while they will be the last generation of killer whales at SeaWorld, they will still be around for decades to come, inspiring millions of guests and people across the globe to take action with us today.

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Tilikum pulled SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau into the water in 2010, killing her after a show at the theme park. In the wake of Brancheau's death, SeaWorld removed trainers from the water and implemented new safety procedures.

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In the year following Blackfish's release, SeaWorld's attendance dropped by one million visitors. In 2014, the company announced an 84% fall in income and saw its share price drop by 33%, although they attributed this to 'the seasonal nature of the business' and not due to the impact of the documentary.

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That fact stems not only from the world-class care they are provided with but the love and affection they receive on a daily basis from a whole host of passionate trainers. Well there you have it. By the Dodo's own deduction, SeaWorld's whales are loved, happy and have a great relationship with their trainers.

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