Kiska (died March 9, 2023) was a captive orca housed at Marineland of Canada. She was nicknamed the World's Loneliest Orca because she spent the last 12 years of her life completely alone.[1][2] Kiska was the last captive orca to be held in Canada as a result of the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act.[1]
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Life
editKiska was captured in 1979 in the waters surrounding Iceland. She was kept alongside Keiko, who portrayed the fictional orca Willy in the 1993 film Free Willy.[3] The two remained in the same tank at Marineland for several years, until Keiko was sold to an aquarium. Kiska performed in shows at Marineland until about 10 years before her death.[4]
The tank used by Marineland for Kiska was an estimated 40 metres (130 ft) x 20 metres (66 ft) wide. Kiska would travel the perimeter of her tank 879 times daily; the total distance of these laps would be approximately 100 km (the minimum distance most wild orca pods travel per day). Kiska developed ritualistic, repetitive behaviours that indicate stress and are abnormal for wild orcas such as floating motionless in a single spot. Before Kiska was kept alone, she shared the tank with Keiko, Kandu VII, Junior, Ikaika, and her five calves.[5] All of Kiska's calves were fathered by Kandu VII, none of which survived past six years old. Her first calf went unnamed but the others were known as Kanuck, Nova, Hudson, and Athena.[5] Kiska lived alone in her tank from 2011 onward after the leave of Ikaika.[2][3] A 2012 report stated that Marineland was then looking for a companion for their orca.[6]
The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act banned the capture and keeping of cetaceans in Canada, though Kiska was kept in captivity due to a grandfather clause. She died on March 9, 2023, around the age of 47.[2][3] Marineland stated its opposition to moving Kiska, preferring to import "an age-appropriate companion", not allowed under the Ontario law.[7][8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Tretheway, Laura (March 17, 2023). "Death of 'world's loneliest orca' sparks calls for change". The Guardian. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c Speakman, Kimberlee (March 11, 2023). "Kiska, 'World's Loneliest Orca,' Dead at Ontario Marine Park". Peoplemag. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c Heyward, Giulia (March 11, 2023). "Kiska, 'the loneliest whale in the world,' dies at Canada amusement park". NPR.
- ^ "Kiska, last captive orca in Canada, has died at Marineland". AP News. March 13, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ a b Moon, Jenna (October 12, 2021). "The Last Orca". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Marineland looking for companion to Kiska". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
- ^ Csanady, Ashley (May 29, 2015). "'People don't love Marineland anymore': Ontario law leaves orca floating alone in Niagara Falls". National Post. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ Casey, Liam (May 20, 2015). "Bob Barker wants Marineland killer whale included in Ontario orca ban". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved August 12, 2017.