Cetacean Lovers V.1

[SmokeyKitty]

Didn't some of the Orca at Marineland France have a similar skin condition? Or was it another park? I remember seeing photos of another captive with similar patches/lesions.

I recall Valentin having some skin condition on his lower jaw, but it didn't look quite like this. This here looks almost a bit more like dolphin pox...

(Image credit to kinderement)

Valentin's seemed to be darker and maybe slightly less...puffy almost? Like maybe it was caused by him constantly rubbing against things and irritating the skin or something.

Personally, the lesions on the Russian orca don't necessarily resemble dolphin pox. Dolphin pox (just from what I've seen) are more circular/irregular flat lesions (somewhat similar to those you'd see caused by ringworm) - not raised like the Orca has. But I don't know too much about it, so I could be wrong.

[MerciResolution]

Personally, the lesions on the Russian orca don't necessarily resemble dolphin pox. Dolphin pox (just from what I've seen) are more circular/irregular flat lesions (somewhat similar to those you'd see caused by ringworm) - not raised like the Orca has. But I don't know too much about it, so I could be wrong.

As I look at some more pictures, you're right. I'm not sure what this young whale has...

On a side note, these orcas are all a part of China's "breeding base" right? And they're all from the same population. AND the majority were captured at the same time. How are they sure if they're not related? Heck, the oldest one (13 years) could be a sibling to the youngest one (5 years).
This doesn't feel good.

[Scottish9]

oh yuck

[MerciResolution]

More images have surfaced.

We can see more of the one orca's strange skin condition, as well as a few small injuries.

[Ravenkiss]

This is a sad topic... I've always loved marine life and seeing these amazing creatures like this is heartbreaking. I'm no expert on whales but I hope they'll get the treatment they deserve.

[aeroz]

It honestly looks like one of those swimming pools gyms have for the public to use. Glass pull doors and everything...Plus are they indoors all the time? D: Sure looks like it but I'm honestly new to these china orcas. I've been focused on the Russian orcas I totally forgot about these guys </3

[Gypaetus Barbatus]

Personally, the lesions on the Russian orca don't necessarily resemble dolphin pox. Dolphin pox (just from what I've seen) are more circular/irregular flat lesions (somewhat similar to those you'd see caused by ringworm) - not raised like the Orca has. But I don't know too much about it, so I could be wrong.

As I look at some more pictures, you're right. I'm not sure what this young whale has...

On a side note, these orcas are all a part of China's "breeding base" right? And they're all from the same population. AND the majority were captured at the same time. How are they sure if they're not related? Heck, the oldest one (13 years) could be a sibling to the youngest one (5 years).
This doesn't feel good.

They were captured in 2013, 2014 and 2015, so we don't know which of these whales were captured when and if they're related. Some might be, others don't have to be.

[MerciResolution]

Happier cetacean stuff:
The orca seen missing his right pectoral fin and dorsal fin, known as Sira, was encountered again after four years!
See here!

[Gypaetus Barbatus]

The new and last orca calf born at SeaWorld!

Image credit to: SeaWorld Facebook page.

On April 19, 2017 the calf was born. Takara is the mother. She's 25 years old and an experienced mother. She has five children: Kohana (Loro Parque), Trua (SeaWorld Orlando), Sakari, Kamea and the new calf (SeaWorld San Antonio). Takara was already pregnant when SeaWorld decided to end the breeding programme of killer whales, partnering up to the HSUS. It's still unknown what the gender of the calf could be, but from images (click) it looks like it may be a female! They don't know until official DNA test results have come back, which might take several weeks to months. And then we will also know who the father is. Since the calf was sired naturally, it's either Kyuquot or Tuar, but it's thought to be Kyuquot. This little calf has the best medical care available. It will grow up surrounded by its mother and two sisters, Sakari and Kamea, and the two males at SeaWorld San Antonio, Kyuquot and Tuar.

[SmokeyKitty]

The Southern Residents are now down to just 77 members.
The approximately 45-year old female known as K-13 Skagit has not been seen since February, despite being a common fixture within her matriline, and is now declared to be deceased.