Photo by Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, provided by Katerina Studios.
Cody, commonly known as Fat Beans(胖豆丁), Chip, Bean/(Fat) Beans, or Pàngdòudīng(Shanghainese pinyin), is an 2 year old male Russian transient killer whale that lives at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park. He was born there on the 10th of September, 2021 to Cookie and Pànghǔ. Cody was the first killer whale in China whose birth in captivity was made public.
An Odd Start
In April of 2020, Cookie's progesterone's were reported to have been high, originally suggesting that she was pregnant. Trainers continued to track her health, and 7 months later, in November, multiple ultrasounds confirmed that Cookie was indeed pregnant.[1]
On the 9th of September, 2021, Cookie went into labor at Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park. The animal care specialists reported that she had "physiological characteristics" of giving birth, and dozens of people watched the tail first birth. Carrying on for over 3 hours, Cookie finally gave birth to a male calf at 1:16 am CST(China).
The birth of Cody was announced on the 9th of October, 2021, by China Cetacean Alliance on Weibo. Unfortunately, Cookie was very confused by the entire situation and didn't know what to do. She followed her calf around, trying to help it, but it wasn't successful(meaning nursing didn't happen). Cody might have been "disturbed" by the onlookers watching the birth, and somehow hit a wall(on accident) not long after. This resulted in a broken rostrum and/or jaw, which is what he was believed most likely being treated for.
Recent Days
Cookie and Cody have been separated since the birth, and the shows resumed at Shanghai around the 1st of October. Social media platforms of the park and trainers for the whales also declined in activity around the time of the birth, originally suggesting that the rumor was true as everything fit in its place. Cody ended up being alive and a photo showing 5 whales in Shanghai's tank confirmed everything in January of 2021. His health has improved and he is being fed artificially made milk as Cookie does not know how to provide milk. Cody has also believed to have displayed banging behaviors against the gate in attempt to get with the other whales. It's thought that he hasn't been paired with any other orcas since the birth, as this would make it easier for staff to keep the calf alive.
On the 21st of January, 2022, the first video of Cody was released. He appeared to be thin with a "peanut head", a sign of malnourishment and/or other health issues. However, this issue then went away by June of that year. His eyepatches also sparked controversy of who the father is, suggesting that it wasn't Pànghǔ. Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park later confirmed that Pànghǔ was the sire, however.
Pins made for the birth of Cody, along with the blue bib and pacifier, originally suggesting he was a male.
Before Cody got his name, the nickname "Chip" anonymously started appearing on social media platforms. This follows in the theme of foods, specifically after "Cookie". There were originally rumors that Cody was a female, however, the merch that was given to staff for the birth has a blue bib and pacifier. Blue is typically used for boys when the gender is revealed, which suggested that Cody was indeed a male.
At one point, because of the sire controversy, quite a few whales(Pànghǔ, Orpheus and other Chimelong whales, Nord, Earth, Kshamenk, Keto, Tekoa, Goro, and Kyu) were the possible sires from several different outcomes.
A Public Appearance
On the 11th of June, 2022, Cody was shown to the public for the first time. His appearance was greeted with several younger kids, as his existence was confirmed on the 1st of June, Children's Day in China. Many balloons were brought to attract Cody to the glass, as he was first shown in the underwater viewing tank. One of the behaviorists as also in scuba gear and underwater with Cody. This leads some people to think that waterworks might happen with him. In early February of 2023, China Cetacean Alliance announced that Cody and "another male"(likely Shawn II) would be transferring to Zhengzhou Haichang Ocean Park when it is complete in 2024.
After nearly two years of being separated, Cody was reintroduced to Cookie following the death of her second calf. The two did very well upon the pairing, and it is hoped that they will be in shows together and not just backstage performances.
Personality
Cody is a very interactive whale, and will often come up to the underwater viewing glass if a visitor brings toys for him to look at. He often sticks his tongue out when in a training session, and has learned many behaviors such as a slideout or bow.
Gallery
If you are going to use any of these photos, please credit the photographer and/or the provider. PLEASE REFER BACK TO THIS WIKI. NOT ALL PHOTOS CAN BE USED!!
.jpg){kind=link}
Xiàoēn, Cookie, Pànghǔ, Dora, and Cody.
Photo by the China Cetacean Alliance(CCA), provided by Ningyo La Mar d'Aprop.
Screenshot from a video found by Chinese Orca News, provided by Katerina Studios.
Cookie and Cody
Photos by Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, provided by China Cetacean Alliance.
Photos by Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, provided by Katerina Studios.
Cookie and Cody
Cookie and Cody
Cookie giving birth to Cody
Cookie and Cody
Photos provided by Katerina Studios.