Moskvarium

As in China, cetacean captivity is booming in Russia. Although the government has been trying to protect animals and prevent captures in their waters, it's difficult for them to regulate, and the public demand for orca shows is very present. As in China, I expect an influx of animals and animal deaths, unfortunately.

In Russia's Okstok Sea, orcas, belugas, and walruses are all being captured, although there have been recent government crackdowns on this practice due to external pressures.

The Moskvarium is currently the only marine park in Russia that houses orcas, but I expect that there will be more in the coming years. The Moskvarium's slideouts, in my opinion, are dangerously oversized, and have caused, on more than one occasion, for an orca to become stranded on them and unable to re-enter the water. In film of these incidents, employees do not attempt to assist the whales.

Moskvarium, Moscow, Russia

Nord

Statistics

Captured: August 13th, 2012

Sex: Male

Age: 13

Weight: 8,267 lbs, 3,749 kilos

Length: 22.9 ft, 6.9 m

Breed: 100% Russian Transient

About Nord

Nord is the only male at the Moskvarium. At 22.9 feet long, he would be one of the longest orcas in captivity, though not even close to the heaviest. This highlights the different body proportions of different ecotypes of killer whale around the world. Nord was captured along with Narnia.

Nord means 'north'.

Aggressive Incidents & other injuries

As in Narnia's profile, Nord was involved in an incident where a trainer fell into the water with the whales, who all became agitated and physically thrashed. Although the trainer was uninjured and its unclear whether the whales were being aggressive in this action, it shows how stimulating a violent event can be for a frustrated or frightened animal.

Naja

Statistics

Captured: July 2014

Sex: Female

Age: 10

Weight: 4,960 lbs, 2,249 kilos

Length: 17.7 ft, 5.3 m

Breed: 100% Russian Transient

About Naja

Naja is the smallest orca at the Moskvarium, and has been video taped as the subject of Narnia and Nord's violent behavior. Naja probably lived in other parks around Russia before landing in her current location.

Aggressive Incidents & other injuries

Naja has been video taped being shoved onto a slideout that was too large for her to slide back into the water. She then struggled and thrashed as she tried to get back into the water. If this happens repeatedly, which video evidence suggests it does, this may cause injury to her ribcage, pectoral fins, and internal organs, as orcas are not designed to beach themselves for long periods of time. Their weight presses in on their internal organs and makes it difficult for them to breathe and move. I fear for Naja's life and safety as long as she is housed in these conditions.