Kotar (whale)
Encyclopedia
Kotar was a male killer whale captured off the southeast coast of Iceland in October 1978. At the time of his capture he was only 210 cm long and because of this it is believed that he is/was the youngest killer whale taken into captivity from the wild that survived.
He was bought by SeaWorld
and sent to SeaWorld San Diego
where he spent his first couple of years of captive life. He originally stayed at Shamu Stadium but was then moved to SeaWorld's petting pool.
At some point in the 1980s, he was transferred to SeaWorld Orlando
. In 1987, Kanduke, a male killer whale, bought by SeaWorld from Marineland had arrived to Orlando. Kotar and Kanduke did not get along and often fought, the aggression eventually getting serious; after an incident in which Kotar bit Kanduke's penis and caused an infection and show cancellations, the decision was made for the smaller whale to move to the newly opened SeaWorld San Antonio
.
Kotar was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio
in 1988 where he remained for the rest of his life.
Kotar died on the 1st of April, 1995, after a gate he was playing with had closed onto his head and caused a fractured skull and severe blood loss.
During his time in captivity, Kotar has sired seven offspring; Takara, Keet
and Keto
as well as four others that resulted in early deaths or stillbirths.
He was bought by SeaWorld
SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a United States chain of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and animal theme parks owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The parks feature captive orca, sea lion, and dolphin shows and zoological displays featuring various other marine animals. There are operations in Orlando,...
and sent to SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is an animal theme park, oceanarium, and marine mammal park, located in San Diego, California, United States. The park is owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group....
where he spent his first couple of years of captive life. He originally stayed at Shamu Stadium but was then moved to SeaWorld's petting pool.
At some point in the 1980s, he was transferred to SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park, and marine-life based zoological park, near Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group...
. In 1987, Kanduke, a male killer whale, bought by SeaWorld from Marineland had arrived to Orlando. Kotar and Kanduke did not get along and often fought, the aggression eventually getting serious; after an incident in which Kotar bit Kanduke's penis and caused an infection and show cancellations, the decision was made for the smaller whale to move to the newly opened SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park, located in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio, Texas. It is the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld chain owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group, and the world's...
.
Kotar was moved to SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park, located in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio, Texas. It is the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld chain owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group, and the world's...
in 1988 where he remained for the rest of his life.
Kotar died on the 1st of April, 1995, after a gate he was playing with had closed onto his head and caused a fractured skull and severe blood loss.
During his time in captivity, Kotar has sired seven offspring; Takara, Keet
KEET
KEET is a digital-only public television station in Eureka, California, broadcasting locally on channel 11 as a PBS member station. Founded in 1969, the station is owned by Redwood Empire Public Television, Inc...
and Keto
Keto
Keto can refer to:* The Keto people, an ethnic group of the Siberian North.* Ceto or Keto, a sea goddess in Greek mythology.* Ketone or keto group, the functional group in the chemical compounds ketones....
as well as four others that resulted in early deaths or stillbirths.