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. 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."

Original Shamu

In October 1965, a female juvenile orca was captured from the southern resident pod in Penn Cove, Puget Sound, Washington by Ted Griffin. After living at the Seattle aquarium for two months, she was sold to SeaWorld San Diego in California. She became the park's flagship performing orca until April 1971 when she attacked Anne Eckis, a SeaWorld employee who was told to ride her as part of a filmed publicity event, and refused to release the woman until other workers came to the rescue. Shamu died four months later.

Shamu shows

Shamu shows have been presented at the following SeaWorld parks: The orca presentations have been held in SeaWorld's Orca Stadium(s), which each seat 5,500, and all of the shows have involved a part where one or more whales splash the audience. The San Diego show has usually ended with a hangglider landing at or near the stadium.

Shamu shows throughout the years

Night shows performed during the spring and summer

SeaWorld Orlando & SeaWorld San Antonio present "Shamu Christmas Miracles" during "SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration", a yearly holiday event. SeaWorld San Diego presented "Shamu's Christmas" from the 2014–2016 season, when "Shamu Christmas Miracles" débuted at the park.

Shamu Educational Shows throughout the years

Baby Shamu

The first "Baby Shamu" was named Kalina. She was the first surviving orca born in captivity on September 26, 1985. Ten orca calves had been born in captivity before 1985, but five were stillborn and the others all died within two months of their births. Kalina died on October 4, 2010. The stage name "Grandbaby Shamu" was given to Kalina's first calf, which was born on February 2, 1993 – a male named Keet. The first "Great Grandbaby Shamu" was Keet's first calf, born on December 21, 2004 – a female named Kalia. Kalia gave birth to the first "Great Great Grandbaby Shamu" Amaya, on December 2, 2014. The father is Ulises. Amaya died on August 19, 2021.

Show incidents