Shamu (SeaWorld show)

This article is about the SeaWorld killer whale shows. For the original killer whale (orca) of the same name, see Shamu.
The Shamu show at SeaWorld San Diego in 2009.

Shamu was the stage name used for several performing orcas at SeaWorld.

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.[1]

In March 2016, following the 2010 death of orca trainer Dawn Brancheau, and subsequent public backlash from the 2013 documentary Blackfish, SeaWorld announced they would be ending their orca breeding program, and phasing out their orca shows, instead opting to introduce "new, inspiring, natural orca encounters rather than theatrical shows…[focusing] on orca enrichment, exercise and overall health."[2]

  1. ^ "Ask Shamu: Frequently Asked Questions". SeaWorld/Busch Gardens. Archived from the original on 2013-10-03. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  2. ^ [1]%3C/ref%3E%3Cref%3E2016 March 17 LA Times Op-Ed - SeaWorld CEO: We're ending our orca breeding program. Here's why