So last March, SeaWorld announced it would no longer breed its killer whales.
"With this being the last killer whale birth at a SeaWorld park, this is the last opportunity for researchers to study orca development in ways that can not be done in the wild, helping to conserve this unbelievable species", the park said in its press release.
Takara was already pregnant when SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced previous year that they were suspending the captive breeding program and phasing out killer whale shows due to growing criticism and falling park revenue. As SeaWorld has announced the end of their orca breeding program in 2016, the birth of the calf brings the last opportunity for guests of SeaWorld to see a baby orca up-close, and to observe its growth.
SeaWorld has welcomed its last baby killer whale. The organization for animal rights called on SeaWorld to "spare her fifth calf a lifetime of suffering in prison by retiring both mother and child to a seaside sanctuary, where the baby may someday be reunited with Takara's mother, other children, and grandchildren". In January, two notable orcas died.
Dold said veterinarians at the San Antonio park told him the calf was born normally - tail first - after about 1½ hours of smooth labor.
The film focused on an orca named Tilikum, who was involved in the deaths of three people. They said she became impregnated through "natural breeding". "Our expectation is that all of this will go smoothly, but we take none of that for granted".
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All of the remaining orca whales will remain on display and be made available for researchers for many years to come at SeaWorld's San Antonio, San Diego, and Orlando locations.
Birth control and "social management" will prevent future orca pregnancies, said spokeswoman Suzanne Pelisson Beasley.
Following pressure from activists and declining ticket sales, SeaWorld announced the end of its orca shows and breeding programme past year.
Visitors soon will be able to see the calf with its mother "during select times", the park said.
SeaWorld now has 23 orcas among its three centers in San Diego, Calif., Orlando, Fla. and San Antonio, spokesman David Koontz told NPR via email. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
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