News Archives

February, 2002

Orca's future uncertain as Six Flags debage wages on

WSPA is fighting to stop the importation of two killer whales by Six Flags' Worlds of Adventure theme park in Ohio. Kshamenk, a male killer whale from Argentina, and Shouka, an adolescent female from France, will be condemned to a life of performing tricks to entertain park visitors and isolation from their natural environment and species if Six Flags succeeds in their efforts to bring them to Ohio.

WSPA, along with a large contingent of animal welfare organizations, protested Six Flags initial import application to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and managed to raise significant concerns about Kshamenk and Shouka's situation.

Perhaps the most significant red flag raised concerning Six Flags' request to obtain two new killer whales for their facility is the recent deaths of two killer whales living under the care of Six Flags management. The deaths of these two orcas prove that this company is not capable of providing for the necessary health care or a suitable living environment for these sensitive marine mammals.

Kshamenk is of particular concern because his origins are uncertain. Evidence suggests that this orca was intentionally stranded or illegally contained following a natural stranding instead of being returned to the wild as policy dictates. Experts feel that Kshamenk needs to be evaluated by an independent panel to determine if this orca is a candidate for release and, if so, returned to his native waters. If Six Flags is permitted to bring this killer whale to their facility in Ohio, and if he survives the stress of transport, Kshamenk will be forever locked into a life of captivity.

Animal welfare advocates also have concerns regarding Six Flags' plans to breed Kshamenk and Shouka. Shouka is still an adolescent and experts fear that she would not be a suitable mate for the much larger Kshamenk. A pregnancy at this stage of Shouka's development could place this young orca's own health in jeopardy. Furthering their concerns, Kshamenk has been known to exhibit aggressive behavior with his trainers that could pose a risk to Shouka's safety if the two orcas are confined in a tank together.