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Chinese Parks
Cetacean captivity, particularly that of orcas, is booming in China. They are secretive about the whales that they have, and about the facilities they are kept in. I expect there to be a dramatic rise in the number of both captured and captive born orcas in China in the near future. I also expect many animals to die in the process.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
Tyson
Statistics
Captured: Sometime between 2013 and 2015
Sex: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Tyson
Very little is known about the killer whales housed in Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. All of them have been captured in the last five to ten years, and only a handful of photos of them have been released. Their living conditions are unknown.
Aggressive Incidents & other injuries
So little is known about Tyson and the other Chimelong Ocean Kingdom whales that there are no records of violent incidents with trainers.
Nukka
Statistics
Captured: Sometime between 2013 and 2015
Sex: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Nukka
Nukka is assumed to be female, but her sex has yet to be officially determined.
Orpheus
Statistics
Captured: August 13th, 2013
Sex: Male
Age: 16
Weight: 4,960 lbs, 2,249 kilos
Length: 18.3 ft, 5.5 m
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Orpheus
Slightly more is known about Orpheus. He likely lived in Russia prior to his move to the Chinese park. His weight and length were taken about seven years ago, so it's probable that he's larger now. He was probably captured with Grace, they might be from the same pod or family.
Orpheus is a Greek name derived from the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Grace
Statistics
Captured: August 13th, 2013
Sex: Female
Age: 11
Weight: 1,322 lbs, 599 kilos
Length: 12.3 ft, 3.7 m
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Grace
Grace was captured when she was very young, and lived in Russia for a time before being moved to China. Her weight and length were both taken when she was very little, so she's probably much bigger now. She was probably captured with Orpheus, and they may be from the same pod or family group.
Unknown whales in the park
At least five other unnamed and unknown orcas live at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom according to photographic evidence. The protections that exist for American cetaceans do not always exist overseas, and so these marine parks have no incentive to release information about their whales or their housing conditions.
Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, Nanhui New City, Pudong, China
About Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park
This park, located in Shanghai, is in possession of four Russian killer whales. Recently, trainers have begun wearing oxygen tanks when interacting with the whales in the water, suggesting that the whales pull and hold the trainers underwater often and for long periods of time. This is aggressive and potentially lethal behavior, and it's worrying.
Fat Tiger/Dillon
Statistics
Captured: 2014
Sex: Male
Age: 13
Weight: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Dillon
Little is known about Dillon, previously called Wow. Like other Chinese Parks, Shanghai has not released much information about their whales to press outlets. It's likely that all four whales at this park were captured around the same time. They were trained in another Chinese holding facility before being moved to Shanghai for shows. Dillon is the largest and oldest male at the park.
Aggressive Incidents & other injuries
No public training records of this Shanghai park exist, so these whales' pattern of aggression or lack thereof are not known.
Dora
Statistics
Captured: 2015
Sex: Female
Age: 10
Weight: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Dora
Dora is the oldest female at this park. As of May 2020, photographic evidence suggests that Dora may be pregnant, although this has not been confirmed by the park or any news outlets. If Dora does have a calf, it is likely Dillon's. Orcas show their pregnancies with visible changes, so it is usually observable to the trained eye. The photos certainly suggest pregnancy, but confirmation will be needed. Dora was captured around the same time and in the same region as Goren and Cookie, but it's unknown if they were captured together or if they're from the same pod.
Sean
Statistics
Captured: 2015
Sex: Male
Age: 9
Weight: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Sean
Very little is known about this whale. His name has been confirmed or announced by the park. According to photographic evidence, Sean has a very rounded face, which could help to identify him. Sean was captured around the same time and place as Dora and Cookie, but it's unknown if they were captured together or if they are from the same pod.
Cookie
Statistics
Captured: 2015
Sex: Female
Age: 9
Weight: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Cookie
Much like Goren, very little is known about Cookie, previously known as Kysalis. Cookie is the smallest whale in the park, and can be identified by her small size. She was captured around the same time and place as Dora and Sean, but it's unknown if they were captured together or if they are from the same pod. Cookie frequently displays dominant behaviors in spite of her young age.
On September 9th, 2021, it's believed that Cookie gave birth to a calf, which she did not bond with. The calf, initially believed to be dead or stillborn, is still alive, with video of the animal being posted online in the winter of 2021/22.
Cookie's maternal instincts are probably damaged or non-existent due to her capture at a young age and lack of mother figures. This calf was the first Russian Killer Whale to be born and bred in captivity.
I hope that Shanghai reflects on Cookie and her calf and decides that breeding is not a good idea for her. Future calves of hers may die. A Chinese/Russian breeding program has the potential for massively ill effects.
Cookie's 2021 calf
Statistics
Captive born: September 9th, 2021
Sex: Unknown
Age: 0
Mother: Cookie
Father: Dillon or Sean
Weight: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Breed: 100% Russian Transient
About Cookie's 2021 calf
On September 9th, 2021, Cookie gave birth to a calf. It doesn't seem like she developed a bond with the baby, and it was placed under human care exclusively. For several months, with no sight of the animal, Cookie's calf was believed to be dead or stillborn. Video of the calf, alive but looking sickly and separated from the other orcas emerged in the winter of 2021/22. This calf was the first Russian Killer Whale to be born and bred in captivity.
Wuxi Changqiao Ocean Kingdom, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Currently, it is confirmed that there are two orcas living in this park. Their names, sexes, ages, and origins have not been revealed, and we do not know anything about them. There are no photos of the park or the whales. Wuxi advertises itself as the largest marine park in China. This is the only known image associated with the park.